Joseph Morris Googe

Joseph Morris Googe – age 97, of Knoxville, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Parkwest Medical Center. Joe was born August 15, 1927 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Paul and Edith Googe. He attended Savannah High, where he played football and began dating his future bride, Betty Buntyn.
Joe enlisted in the Navy after graduating high school, and became a radio communication instructor which awakened his love for teaching. Joe subsequently studied electrical engineering at Georgia Tech and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1950 and his master's degree in 1951. After graduation, Joe worked for ARO, Inc. in Tullahoma, TN as an electrical engineer on aircraft engines. He then returned to Georgia in 1956 to work for Lockheed Aircraft. After spending over a year with Lockheed, Joe started the doctorate program at Georgia Tech and became an assistant professor of electrical engineering. Upon completing his doctorate, he became a professor at Mississippi State University. Joe was responsible for all circuit theory courses at the university. He taught graduate courses and supervised research in circuits and systems. From 1964–1966 he was an engineer for Martin Marietta in Orlando, FL where he became Chief of the Department of Nuclear Effects and worked on anti-ballistic missiles.
Joe returned to academia in 1966, when he moved with his wife and three young sons to Knoxville to teach at the University of Tennessee. Joe was a professor at UT from 1966-1995, holding the position of the Head of the Electrical Engineering Department from 1973 until his retirement. Beyond Joe's time as a professor, he was also a highly successful consultant for the private sector and was a consultant for Oak Ridge National Labs from 1966-1995. Toward the end of his career in academia, he became an expert in investigating the origins of fires. From 1992-1999 this skillset led him to become the go-to expert witness for fires with suspected electrical origins, and he took part in numerous legal cases and courtroom trials. During Joe's engineering and teaching career he had multiple society affiliations, including ASEE, IEEE, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, and several others.
Throughout Joe's life he had a love for music and athletics and was a longtime season ticket holder for Vols sports. He played baseball, golf, sang in the church choir, and loved playing the piano. Upon his retirement, he devoted significant time to playing golf at Cherokee Country Club where he was a popular companion for a round and served on the executive board. Joe was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville and the American Legion. He read and studied a variety of literature throughout his life, and his love of learning never wavered.
Joe was well liked and respected by all who knew him, especially his former students. He had an infectious sense of humor and charismatic personality. Upon retirement he spent many hours volunteering at the UT Medical Center gift shop with his wife, often offering words of wisdom to new fathers. Joe was immensely proud of his family, and never missed a grandparents' day or graduation. He loved international travel, photography, restoring old Volkswagens, and spending his winters in Tybee Island, GA. Joe was an excellent gardener and woodworker, and his children and grandchildren will always cherish his handmade furniture pieces. Above all else, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be missed dearly by his family and many friends.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Betty Buntyn Googe; parents, Paul and Edith Googe; and sister, Frances Googe Prine. Joe is survived by his three sons, Joe (Patti), Gordon (Kim), and Paul (Cindy); grandchildren, Matthew Googe (Ashley), Elizabeth Brunette (Jeffrey), Harris Googe (Tulio Lenzi da Silveira), Andrew Googe (Allison), Amy Haile (Rob), Michael Googe (Sierra), Margaret Googe (Mike Smith), John Googe (Ellen); ten great-grandchildren, two nephews, a niece, and two great-nephews. A graveside service will take place at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. Arrangements by Rose Funeral and Cremation - Mann. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com.