Joseph F. Graninger Jr.

Joseph Franklin (Joe) Graninger Jr., 78, of Roanoke, Va., went home to he with the Lord on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. He was born in Oaklyn, N.J., on April 6, 1931, to the late Joseph F. Sr. and Grace Jett Graninger. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Sarah Wright Graninger; beloved son, David William Graninger, of Roanoke; his sisters, Evelyn and Dorothy; and brother, Tom.
Joe is survived by his two sons, Joseph (Frank) Graninger III and wife, Amy, of Rocky Mount, and Harry and wife, Dana, of Roanoke; and one loving daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Gary Janney, of Roanoke. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Laura Graninger Lopez, Joseph (Joe) Graninger IV, Meg Graninger Feldman, Ashley Graninger, Sarah Graninger, Andrew Graninger, Charlton Graninger, Ann Francis Janney, and Allen Janney of Roanoke; one greatgranddaughter, Isabella Graninger; sister-in-law, Liddy Graninger; and many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to a very dear friend of 12 years, Barbara McLelland, of Roanoke, for her love, care and support, and St. Marks Lutheran Church who brought Joe many days of enjoyment for which we are very thankful.
Joe served his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as well as his family and country where he served as a Sergeant in the Marines.
Joe commuted and worked for Radford Army Ammunition Plant as a Senior Technical Engineer until early retirement to take care of his wife of 37 years before her death.
Joe was a long-term member of First Baptist Church, Roanoke where he served as a youth Sunday school teacher, deacon and enjoyed praising the Lord by singing in the Chancel choir as well as member of the senior choir Heritage singers.
Joe graduated from Jefferson High School in Roanoke as well as Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he received his bachelor of science degree in mathematics/statistics.
Family time was always important to Joe and he served his family well on holidays as well as any day of the week with home-cooked meals, which was his speciality, that consisted of home grown vegetables and fruit straight from his garden. Family devotions and prayer were always a part of meal-time. The essence of "time" was very important to Joe and hard work was something he valued in his life as well as his children's lives.
No one knew the stock market like Joe and his wisdom, knowledge and understanding spirit were an asset to all his children.
The family extends their gratitude and thanks to the First Baptist Church ministerial staff, Good Samaritan Hospice, UVA Transplant Center, Dr. Jacob Neathawk, special family, friends, and special family friend, Melissa Hall, for all her support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may he made to First Baptist Church, Future Generations Now Building Fund, 515 Third St., Roanoke, Va. 24016.
Thank you Dad for your love, devotion and sacrifice over the course of our lives. We love you very much and will miss you until the Lord comes again and we see you in Heaven. Psalms 23.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2009, in the Old Sanctuary of First Baptist Church with Dr. Bryan Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will, receive friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2009, at Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131.