Joseph King Ingram

Ingram, Sr. Joseph K. 1937 ~ 2025 What defines a life well lived? Is it success? Is it authenticity? Is it relationships? Is it passion, joy or is it legacy? No matter what metrics are used, Joseph King Ingram did in fact live a life well spent. If the measure is success, Joe was incredibly successful. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1959 with a degree in engineering. After a false start in Ohio, he landed at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut, to begin his distinguished career. He would later transfer to United Technologies Corporation in South Windsor, CT to work on the development of hydrogen fuel cells. His commitment, hard work and professionalism earned Joe some amazing opportunities. These included standing at Cape Canaveral to witness the launch of Apollo 11 as a guest of NASA. Joe would continue to be involved with the Apollo program until its end in 1973. He would go on to spend a year in Japan representing UTC In 1983. Unfortunately for Joe, that was the year his beloved Wolfpack won the NCAA Men's National Basketball Championship. He shared the story many times, of listening to the game on Armed Forces Radio because people of Japan, much to his dismay, were not interested in college basketball. He also shared that this did not diminish his joy in any way. After a very successful 34 year career, Joe retired at the ripe young age of 54 and began what would become an amazing chapter of his life. If the measure is authenticity, there was no more authentic human being than Joe Ingram. No matter what he was doing or who he was doing it with Joe was always uniquely Joe. Whether he was coaching little league, serving as a deacon of his church, bowling after work, playing softball with coworkers, golfing with friends, playing in bridge tournaments, playing basketball at a local middle school on Friday nights or just sitting in a room with new faces, Joe never changed who he was. He was always his genuine, humble, caring, curious, humorous self. Joe had words and phrases that were uniquely his. His "joeisms" puzzled some but entertained many. He wore his heart on his sleeve and it was a big heart. Joe modeled a level of authenticity to which we should all aspire. If the measure is the relationships forged over a lifetime, Joe had this market cornered. Relationships were his sweet spot. Joe had an innate ability to make people feel seen and heard. Everyone was important in his eyes. He would talk to anyone and some might argue, with everyone. He was genuinely curious to hear people's stories and always willing to share a few of his own. Joe could most certainly tell a good story. When you spent time with Joe chances were pretty good you were going to meet someone new. This was his gift. Even if Joe didn't share others' opinions, he sought first to understand. Then as only Joe could, he might offer some unsolicited advice. It is safe to say that Joe has friends all over the world. He has left a trail of meaningful relationships; many that he is probably not even aware of because of his Humility and grace. For many, one of the most important measures of a life well lived is finding joy and passion in life. Joe found these. Joe loved big! He loved the New York Yankees, a relationship that started as a boy. As he tells the story, the only two baseball teams he could hear on the radio were the Braves and the Yankees so he had to choose. He chose wisely. Joe loved to travel. He would often talk about how fortunate he was to have seen the places he saw and been the places he's been. "Not too bad for a kid from a small town in North Carolina "he would often say as he reflected on his life. Joe also loved playing cards, sweet potato pie, telling bad jokes, napping, watching his Wolfpack play any sport, peanut butter, napping some more , people, and vanilla ice cream. He really loved vanilla ice cream. But most of all Joe loved his family. Joe was the epitome of a family man. He loved his visits to his home in North Carolina and would make a point of seeing as many family members as he could on each visit. He especially loved spending time with his sister Martha on the lake where his parents once lived. Part of Joe never really left North Carolina. Joe loved being a father. Everything he did was for his children. A self-proclaimed "sap", he could always be seen smiling his signature grin when he was with his four children. His family was his happy place. As most children do, Kim, Joseph, Jill, and Jon tested his patience over the years. No matter what situation his children found themselves in, Joe was always there to provide a safety net and perhaps a little bit of a lecture laced with wisdom. He was always clear that there was nothing any of his children could ever do that would change how much he loved them. Joe proved that every day. Joe made it abundantly clear, however, that he had only one true love; his Suzy Q. Joe met Susan Risley in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1959. That marked the beginning of an amazing love affair. Joe and Sue would both acknowledge that the 66 years they had together were not all smooth. They would also both say they would not have wanted to navigate those years with anyone else. Their wonderful adventure together officially began on May 30, 1959, only weeks after Joe graduated from NC State. They spent the afternoon of their wedding day driving north towards Ohio to begin their new life together. The rest of their story could fill volumes and what an amazing read it would be; joys, heartbreaks, adventure, travel and laughs. Joe and Sue parented together, fought together, traveled together, laughed and cried together but most of all, they loved together. Joe could often be heard telling Sue how much he loved her and how beautiful she is, even when their children were rolling their eyes and groaning. Whatever the measure, Joe lived his life in a way that is to be admired. As beautiful as life can be, it can also be cruel. As Joe approached his golden years, he shared with people that he just didn't want to "lose his mind" as he aged. Tragically, Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. As he did with all things in his life, Joe faced this horrible disease with strength, grace and humor. He maintained his loving personality and wonderful sense of humor even as the disease attacked his body and his mind. To the very end, Joe was Joe. Joseph King Ingram passed away at 7:14 PM on August 31, 2025. He laid sleeping surrounded by his family as he quietly took his final breath. Joe leaves a legacy of love and caring. He leaves seeds of joy and laughter. He leaves the gift of 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild that have touched this world. He leaves wonderful memories and pearls of wisdom. Joe leaves so much to so many. Relatives and friends may join his family during calling hours on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Browne Memorial Chapels, Enfield. Burial will be at the convenience of family in the Hazardville Cemetery, Enfield. Sue respectfully request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The Alzheimer's Association: alz.org/walk (Joe's team is - Just Joeking)