Joe Carver, Sr

Joe Davis Carver, Sr., 78, of Concord, passed away on January 19, 2013, after a long battle with cancer, with his loving wife Diana by his side. Joe was born on March 18, 1934 in Springfield, TN, to the late Samuel Ellis Carver and the late Carrie Kirby Carver. At 15, Joe quit school and took a job as a bellhop. When the Hotel management learned Joe's age, he was told he was "too young". After wrestling with the problem he had the idea to contact the Governor. Joe literally walked to the Capital and Governor Browning personally issued a special permit for this youngster to keep his job. Joe joined the Navy in 1952, serving during the Korean War, and traveling the globe to Japan, Hawaii, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, Saigon, and Italy. As a sailor, Joe served under Admiral Briscoe and among his many life-long many adventures Joe hitchhiked across America four times. Upon his discharge Joe returned to Nashville where he worked for Specter Freight Lines. He took a part-time job with Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway where he began his racing career selling hot dogs. He soon graduated to selling ice cream. The next year he became the concessions manager and later became race car inspector. The following year Joe was hired as a full time employee and became the track announcer, flagman, and public relations director. In 1968, he created a racing radio network, broadcasting to 10 cities in middle TN. This would later become the Performance Racing Network. In 1970, he negotiated with ABC Wide World of Sports to telecast the first live flag to flag, Winston Cup NASCAR race. For three years, Joe produced a weekly television racing show "Pit Stop", with such guests as Darrell Waltrip, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Marty Robins and numerous others. Joe also produced many musical concerts starring Sonny & Cher, The Jackson 5, Willie Nelson, and Evel Knievel. In July 1972, Joe and Diana Carver were married. Then in 1973, they moved to Hampton, VA as general managers of Langley Motor Speedway. In five short years Joe helped build the Langley track into one of the most successful short track in the United States. In 1977, he was voted Promoter of the Year and in 1980 he was appointed to the prestigious, NASCAR Stock Car Racing Commission. In 1985, Joe joined Darrell Waltrip Motorsports as Vice President where he oversaw the management of all of Darrell’s racing projects. In 1998, Joe joined Carter-Haas Motorsports as their General Manager. Joe and Darrell were reunited in 1999 when Darrell joined Carter-Haas for the final two years of his NASCAR Hall of Fame career. In 2006, Joe took on the role of Show Car Director for JKS Incorporated based in Welcome, NC. Despite the ravages of cancer and chemotherapy, Joe continued to work at JKS even up to the final week of his passing. Joe is survived by his loving wife Diana Carver; sons, Joe Jr. and wife Marianne of TN and Samuel Ellis II and wife Summer of NC; daughters Marita Carver, Lolita Kinnard, Shirley Schettino, and Jennifer Greenwood, all of TN; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-children. He is predeceased by daughter Sharon Ann and grandson Cody. As a Christian Joe was devoted, spreading the word to many. He was a sports fan, an avid golfer, music and art lover, and he was known to be the kindest and most honorable of gentleman. Joe was truly loved and will be missed by all who knew him. The funeral service will be held 3 PM January 25, 2013 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord Chapel, with Pastor Robbie Stofel officiating. Military honors to be conducted by Cabarrus County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Motor Racing Outreach and/or the Wounded Warriors Project. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Carver Family. Online condolences may be made at www.Hartsellfh.com.