Tribute To Fallen Classmate

Today I attended the funeral of yet another classmate, Joseph "Joe" F. Lindigrin, Jr. Joe graduated from the Class of 1959 from St. Aloysius High School (Brothers of the Sacred Heart) and I attended St. Francis Xavier Academy (Sisters of Mercy) in the Class of 1959. Next year we will be celebrating our 50th class reunion. This makes three out of the Class that have past away from SAHS and three from SFXA. It is so sad to lose a classmate. The picture above shows me with Joe at our 25 year reunion taken at Monsour's Restaurant back in 1984. Here is my tribute to our beloved Joe. He will sadly be missed by family, friends and classmates.

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~Joe was born in Vicksburg, MS on June 21, 1941, and passed away unexpectedly Thursday, July 3, 2008, at Medical City Dallas at the age of 67, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Geraldine Conn Lindigrin; son, Jeff Lindigrin (wife Andrea) of Rockwall, TX, daughter, Sherry Lindigrin of Vicksburg; mother, Frances Lindigrin, brother, John Lindigrin (wife Cherri); sister, Lynda Willoughby (husband Billy) all of Vicksburg, brother, David Lindigrin (wife Elizabeth) of Clinton, MS; and five beloved grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by father, Joe Lindigrin, Sr.; and grandparents,Lawrence and Mattie Storey and Joseph Anthony and Elizabeth Lindigrin. He graduated from St. Aloysius High in 1959, and then attended Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University. He was employed by L. M. Berry Company, where he won many outstanding sales awards. For 21 years, he owned Jackson Specialty Advertising in Jackson, MS, retiring in 2004. Lifelong Mississippians Joe and Geraldine had recently moved from Madison, MS to Rockwall, TX to be near their son and grandchildren. He always told people the youngest, Mackenzie ("Mack"), age 2 ½, had the longest little arms pulling them to leave their home state of Mississippi. Joe and Geraldine traveled extensively throughout the country and overseas. One of his favorite places was St. Andrews, Scotland where he played the old course twice. Joe never met a stranger. He easily made friends wherever he traveled with his unique personality, charm and wit. His infectious grin and laughter made him a friend to many. He was a great storyteller, and loved to tell them to everyone he met. His love for the Mississippi State Bulldogs was deep and unwavering. He never became discouraged. He was always the first to say, with all his heart, "Just wait 'til next year!"A wonderful man known for his honesty, integrity and character, Joe was widely respected for his business acumen and noted for his athletic abilities and accomplishments in football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He most enjoyed spending time with his buddies at Live Oaks Golf Club and The Shores Country Club playing golf for an occasional wager. Affectionately known by his many friends as "Bogey" Joe, he was an extremely talented golfer. He was a Mississippi Walker Cup team member for several years, a senior state champion, and held many course records and club championship titles over the years at various clubs around Mississippi. He also shot his age many times and made eight holes-in-one. Joe was a member of Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church in Jackson, MS. Services were held today, Monday, July 7, 2008, at 2 PM at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg, MS. ~