Joseph Paul Antol Jr.

Joseph Paul Antol Jr. went to be with the Lord Monday morning, July 17th, 2023. His family was by his side at home as his body let go of this earthly life.
He grew up in Southern New Jersey on a small farm, where he developed his love for the outdoors and hunting. Joe had great passion about a lot of things, which made him a renaissance man of sorts. He seemed to become an expert at whatever he tried. He had an engineer's mind which he used in his profession as a builder and carpenter. It seemed he could do anything and everything, solving the many problems that went with the process of building. It was his precise, persevering nature that made finish carpentry his favorite thing to do. He really enjoyed getting to know the many people he did projects for, sharing his love for sports, his faith in God, and what he felt was the superiority of Led Zeppelin as the greatest rock band. When people remember Joe, they will most likely remember him talking about at least one of these things. They may also remember his deep strong voice, how he looked like he could pick up anything, or how you knew he was going to say something funny because he paused to laugh before getting to the funny part. Although he went to Rutgers University, his love of UT sports was large. He spent many a happy hour on a golf course, but camping with the family was his favorite past-time. Joe loved to cook, making the best eggs and bacon over a campfire probably ever. Joe loved the classics, literature as well as music, which he shared with his family. We will especially treasure the many times he read books out loud to us. All of these things brought him joy in life. But that joy rested on his confidence in his Savior, the one who redeemed him from the sins of this world when he was 18, and the one who continued to be his help and aid in all the years since then. Joe was born in Lancaster, PA.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Alice Younger Antol, Joseph Paul Antol Sr., mother-figure June Elwell, and mother in-law Jo Mason.
He is survived by his wife, Jama Mason Antol, and daughters, Sophia and Tessa Antol. Also by brothers John Antol (Patti) and Kevin Antol (Debra), father-in-law James D. Mason, and sister in-law Ginger Johnson (David), and an extended, beloved family of in-laws.
He is remembered by adopted family Denny & Ruth Elwell, Lee & Judy Harrison, Don Elwell, and Doug Elwell, as well as many dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at West Hill Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN on Thursday July 20th at 7 pm, with visitation beginning at 5:30 pm. Graveside service will be held Friday morning at 11:00 AM Haven Hill Cemetery in Madisonville, TN.