Joseph Hannah

Joseph E. Hannah



Joseph (Joe) Edward Hannah was born in Missouri on February 1st, 1932 to Lon M. Hannah and Melba K. Williams Hannah and passed away on December 26th, 2024 in Visalia, CA.

Matthew 22:37 says "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Joe had a heart for the Lord and a compassion to serve his God and passed down this legacy to his family. Joe will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and of course, his great big laugh.

When Joe was four years old, his father Lon moved the family west to California to work in agriculture. The family settled in Ivanhoe where Joe attended Stone Corral School in Elderwood and Ivanhoe School through 8th grade where he excelled in sports.



Joe attended Visalia Union High School (a proud Pioneer!) where he was a three year letterman in both baseball and football. Joe was honored to receive All American recognition in football as a fullback, where he was nicknamed "Joltin' Joe". Joe was offered football scholarships from USC, UCLA, and Cal Berkeley but chose professional baseball where he was an outstanding catcher. On graduation night in 1951, Joe signed a minor league contract and signing bonus with the Chicago Cubs organization.

After spending a year in the minor leagues, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Fort Ord during the Korean War and proudly served his country that he loved.

Joe met Kay Kindy in High School where they spent time together with friends in the High School group at 1st Presbyterian Church in Ivanhoe. This friendship blossomed into love and Joe and Kay were married on February 7th 1953. Joe and Kay were happily married for 51 years until Kay's passing in 2004. They shared many adventures together, including raising five children and serving their church and community.

After being Honorably Discharged from the Army, Joe resumed his baseball career with Kay at his side. In total, Joe spent 13 years in professional baseball, enjoying a very successful career in AAA. One of Joe's proudest moments was in 1956 as the catcher for the Los Angeles Angels, where Joe helped lead his team to the Pacific Coast League championship.

Joe retired from baseball in 1963 and returned to the Visalia area where he became a popular barber while attending Fresno State. Joe then began his next career in education. And what a career it was! Joe had a heart for the Junior High age students and taught at Divisadero Junior High for many years. Joe taught P.E., History, and Choir. Because of his connection through sports, Joe encouraged young men to join the choir and those choirs became very well known in California for their excellence.

Joe had a lifelong love of music, and in 1987 with the encouragement of his son Lonnie, the Sons of the San Joaquin was formed. The group consisted of Joe, his brother Jack, and Lonnie. They have been credited with "rich durability of the traditional Western music they present, as well as the outstanding original cowboy songs" and being reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers. Roy Rogers called them "the only singing group who I feel sound like the original Sons of the Pioneers". They have over a dozen albums, including a gospel album and a greatest hits album.

They were inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Several of their albums have been given awards by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (Cowboy Hall of Fame). The group toured the world and enjoyed sharing their music with their many fans.

Joe was preceded in death by his father Lon, mother Melba, brothers Robert (Bob) and Jack, first wife Kay, son James (Jimmy) and second wife Carol.

Joe is survived by his sister Anita Dildine (Don) of Tulare, son Lon Hannah (Susan) of Visalia, daughter Jill Hannah of Visalia, daughter in law Jenny Hannah Brown of Keene, daughter Leslie Jackson of Visalia, and daughter Kelley Hannah Joslin (Donny) of Wisconsin. Grandchildren Kaleene Henn (Shawn), Kelli Camp, Jeff Hannah (Felisa), Jacquelynn Camp, Matthew Jackson (Lauren), Mark Hannah, Shelby Hannah, Jill Phenisee (Joe), James Hannah (Savannah), Brett Jackson, Joseph Joslin, and Grace Kieckbusch (Aaron), and seven great grandchildren.

After Joe's diagnosis with Dementia he was lovingly cared for at home by his children. When specialized care was needed, Joe moved into TLC Assisted Living in Visalia. The family would like to thank Melody Davis for her care and friendship with our Dad. We would also like to thank TLC Assisted Living and Bristol Hospice for their excellent care and support.

Services will be held at Gateway Church, 1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277 on Friday January 24th, 2025 at 10:00 am. Light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bristol Hospice and Gateway Church Bereavement Assistance Program.