Joe Evans Harkey

Joe Evans Harkey, 84, of McAllen, TX passed away December 17, 2024, in Fernandina Beach, FL.

He was predeceased by his parents, Sam W. Harkey and Maurine L. Evans Harkey; his stepfather, Woody Thompson; brother, Sam F. Harkey, his husband, Hector Ledezma; infant daughter, Chrissa R. Harkey and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Nicole Burling.

Joe is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Lori H. and Donald J. Burling; daughter and son in law, Kimberly M. and Mark Velazquez, and a granddaughter, Jade M. Burling (Cody Byrd)

Mr. Harkey was born December 7, 1940, in Lampasas, TX.  He lived in Holdenville, OK during his childhood and graduated from Holdenville High School where he was drum major.  He earned his business and food & beverage degree from Oklahoma State University. 

After graduating from the Oklahoma State he moved to Jacksonville Beach where he was employed by the Ponte Vedra Beach Club.  In the early 70’s he was employed by Sea Pines Corporation and moved to Fernandina Beach and helped with the opening of Amelia Island Plantation.  Joe worked in the food and beverage department at the Beach Club.  He also opened a delicatessen, Cheese N Things, serving sub sandwich meals and soups.  He also stocked cheeses and wines from many locations and served ice cream.

Being in the hospitality industry, Joe moved around quite a bit.  He loved what he did and enjoyed meeting new people and easily made new friends wherever he went.  In 1980 he moved with family to McAllen TX.  In McAllen he managed the food and beverage department at the Hilton Hotel.  It was then that he met his future husband, Hector.  They married in July, 2015. 

From McAllen he moved to Stockton, CA to take a job as a hotel general manager and from there to St. Simons Island, GA where he worked in management at Sea Palms.  In 1983 he moved to Tallahassee, FL where he was employed by the Downtown Hilton Hotel.  Then in 1985 he moved to Irving TX and managed The Executive Inn by Love Field Airport.  In 1987 he moved to Odessa, TX where he managed a Hilton Hotel. Moving to Longview, TX, he next managed a Holiday Inn from 1987-89.  In 1989 he moved back to Florida where he managed a Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg until 1991.  He then moved around until retiring in 2000, living in Jackson, MS, Detroit, MI and Norcross, GA.  After retiring he lived for a while in Beaumont, TX, and Puerto Rico, before settling in McAllen, TX.

Joe never met a stranger and was the life of any gathering or party.  He loved the beach and the warm weather that went along with it.  Holidays were always important to him.  He loved cooking and having family around.  He loved trying new recipes as well as creating his own – it was a passion for him.  You could always count on him firing up the Green Egg to cook some ribs when visiting.

He loved his children and completely adored and doted on his two granddaughters.  He surely lived a full and exciting life right up to the end.  He had a zest for life!  He could tell the funniest stories and always loved sharing family stories with anyone who would listen.  His witty sayings after a few Patron shots were entertaining as well.

Joe was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, including his chihuahua, Nikki.  He leaves behind many wonderful memories and lots of friends that he actually thought of as family.

If you choose to do so, please make a donation to your local animal shelter or rescue in memory of him.