Joseph Gregory Pohlot

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Joe Pohlot, passed away on March 8, 2026 surrounded by Nancy, Nicole and Joe, his wife of 52 years, daughter and son. He was just shy of his 77th birthday. In addition to Nancy, Nicole (husband, Tim) and Joe (wife, Jamie), his legacy includes a sister (Patty), a brother (Bruce, wife Helen), six grandchildren (Joseph, Austin, Elijah, Asher, Bella and Jack), numerous nieces and nephews and his dog (Missy Moo).

A born and bred New Yorker, Joe moved to the Midwest for his career, spending time in Missouri, Kansas and Texas. It was in Missouri that he met Nancy at their apartment pool on a hot Saturday afternoon. They married on November 24, 1973 and were together ever since, for richer and poorer, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, and now in loving memory.

The Midwest years were full of friendships that stood the test of time. Joe found joy in spending time with friends and family pursuing activities such as soccer, camping, horseshoes, waterskiing, cooking, swimming and playing cards. However, he wasn’t much for the Texas heat.

In 1985, Joe received an offer he couldn’t refuse and the family moved to California where they all settled down for over 40 years. He loved being outside, especially at the beach with the waves and the sunshine and often took the family to San Clemente on weekends to have lunch on the sand. He was so delighted when he and Nancy began attending Christ Lutheran Church and their Sunday Services on the sand. Every week he looked forward to making the drive early Sunday morning to experience the glory and majesty of God’s creation on the beach. Joe never asked for much from his friends and family, but was content with what he had earned and received.

Joe loved to provide for his family and often extolled the virtues of hard work through his actions. He was an avid gardener, exterior/interior painter, chef, housecleaner, clothes launderer and pet caretaker. He never missed any of his kids’ sporting or life events. He even traded in his prized 1969 Corvette for a Ford Pinto as his family grew. Outside the home, he had worked continuously from age 12 in various jobs such as a paperboy, lifeguard, janitor and nightguard. Clearly, he enjoyed caring (and cleaning) for others. However, he found his calling in the finance and accounting profession, in which he worked for over 40 years. He made sure to also use his gifts by serving as the chairman of the finance team at church.

He was a stubborn fighter, sticking to the tradition of his family. He fought through severe appendicitis, blood clots, bladder cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, a heart attack, and multiple heart procedures. Family and friends jokingly compared him to a cat with his nine lives. Sadly, it was complications from COPD that resulted in his passing on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Thank you to all of our friends who have surrounded Joe and our family with prayer, comfort, support and love over the past months while he fought the good fight. From our family to yours: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you His peace.

Rest well sweet husband, precious dad, brother and friend. We love you so so much, our lives here have been forever changed because of you and your selfless care toward us. Until we see you again at the end of the age, we will hold you lovingly in our hearts.