Joe Gay Boone III

1947 - 2021

Joe Gay Boone III peacefully transitioned to heaven on December 13, 2021. Born in Norfolk on March 9, 1947, he was the son of the late Helen Pearce Boone and Joe G. Boone Jr. His family moved some throughout the area, but Joe always spoke so fondly of his years on the family farm in Carrsville where he had early football training tackling the pigs. The family's most significant move was to the Ocean View area of Norfolk so that Joe could have the opportunity to wrestle for the legendary Billy Martin Sr. Joe assured his parents that he would become a state champion wrestler and earn a college scholarship. He lost his first match, but that was to become the only loss in his high school career. He went on to win three state championships in a dominant fashion. Joe equally loved football and was co-captain of the Granby state championship team in 1966. The runner up championship game the year before was the only losing football game he played in. The winning team's coach was quoted in the newspaper as saying, "We just couldn't stop that little #13, Boone."

Joe was a top choice for college recruiters but chose the University of Oklahoma, then a powerhouse in the sport of wrestling. He had an impressive career there and placed twice in the Nationals as well as being a 3-time letterman.

He went straight to his job as coach at the University of Tennessee where he quickly turned the program into a successful one. He was also a recruiter for his beloved football. In later years, he was made an honorary letterman at UT. Then a father of two young children, family commitments led to a return to Oklahoma. There he entered an entirely new career direction in the field of oil and gas. Most of the following decade was spent in Houston where his abundant people skills made him a top sales agent. Joe eventually went on to his own business, Raven Oilfield Rentals. Later as the entire industry experienced a crash, Joe saw this as an opportunity to return home to Norfolk. During this time, he reconnected with Judy Vogan, a high school girlfriend, and there began a 30-year marriage of a perfect match of soul mates. After a year in Houston, Joe and Judy returned to Norfolk where he began the next phase of his life as a Special Education teacher and wrestling coach. He coached in various schools including Poquoson, Churchland, and Cox, bringing immediate success. Joe was then offered the opportunity to coach the Peninsula Wrestling Association, a club funded by the Virginia Duals tournament organization. This prompted a move to Williamsburg. During his almost 10-year tenure, he impacted countless numbers of wrestlers, from elementary through high school ages who would come from as far as Richmond and Virginia Beach to be coached by Coach Boone. The club traveled all over the country and produced several national and even triple crown champions. The bonds formed with the wrestlers and their parents developed into cherished lifetime relationships. Some flew in on a day's notice to be with him in his last days.

In the following years, Joe taught in Williamsburg and York County, and had the opportunity to be an assistant coach of the Lafayette High School state championship football team.

Upon retiring from teaching, Joe purchased a big red BBQ trailer, and launched a small business using his formidable BBQ skills that he learned in Houston.

After a cancer recurrence diagnosis, Joe and Judy moved back to Norfolk and his beloved Chesapeake Bay. In recent months, he had become a key player in the revival of the Granby wrestling program and club. He had the opportunity to help to launch the club and do volunteer coaching. It gave him great satisfaction.

Joe was a former member of the Downtown Norfolk Rotary Club and Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was passionate about college football and his Oklahoma Sooners.

Joe Boone had a bigger-than-life personality. He loved people and treated everyone with kindness and dignity. Joe absolutely loved music, particularly Motown and R&B, dancing, and having a good time. He loved to tell stories, and he had some great ones. Joe loved without measure and anyone who knew him could feel it.

Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Robert V. Boone. Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife, Judy Vogan Boone; his daughter, Gina Hrebik (Jason); sons, Michael Boone (Margret), Barry Boone (Alyssa) and Andrew Boone; and nine grandchildren. Also mourning his passing are his brothers, Ronnie W. Boone and Roger Boone; sister, Bonnie Reardon; nephews and nieces of whom he was so proud; sister-in-law, Judy Norman Boone; brothers-in-law, Chip Vogan (Barbara) and David Vogan, Byron Tucker (Ami); a wrestler who became family, Mike Ellis, a lifetime friend; and Helen and Shortcake, his beloved Cocker Spaniels.

A private graveside service was held on December 21st, and a Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday, January 22nd at 3:00 p.m. at Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6901 Newport Ave. in Norfolk, followed by a reception and party. This will be a joyful reunion for Joe's wrestlers and all of those touched by his remarkable life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Granby Wrestling Club, c/o Frank Lipoli, 1211 San Roman Court, Chesapeake, VA 23322; The National Alliance to End Homelessness, 1518 K Street NW 2nd floor, Washington DC 20005; or an organization of your choice.

H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.hdoliver.com.