Joe Harold Hope, Jr.

   WEAVERVILLE – Joe Harold Hope, Jr., age 91, of Weaverville, NC died Wednesday, July 26, 2023. This photo is of Joe and wife, Jean on their 50^th anniversary while at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA. Mr. Hope was born July 17, 1932 in Kansas City, MO to the late Joe Harold Hope, Sr. and Marybelle Stocks Hope.

  He and his wife were part-time residents of Weaverville since 1984 and they moved full-time to the farm in the early 2000s. Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Jean Elizabeth Hope; his son James Edward Ragsdale Hope who died in 1973; and brothers, Richard Hope and Robert Hope. Survivors include daughter, Susan Carol Hope of Weaverville, NC; sons, Joe Harold Hope III and wife Susan Jo Hope of Mebane, NC and Steven Leigh Hope and wife Jill Leslie Woodworth of Charleston, SC; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

   Joe received a BS in Chemistry at Washington University. He then worked for Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation starting in 1954. He retired from the same company, renamed Allied Corporation, in 1984. Joe was not finished with his work in the chemical industry. He started his own consulting firm, Joe H. Hope Associates, Incorporated. He also started another company, Container Technology, Inc., which provided Ultra Pure Containers and Chemical Delivery Systems to the semi-conductor industry. After nearly 20 years, he sold his stake in Container Technology and closed his consulting business and retired from the chemical industry. Throughout the years, Joe and Jean traveled widely around the world, while keeping his business pursuits active, as well as running a Christmas Tree business at the Weaverville farm. He and Jean maintained a large vegetable garden, and planted various fruit and nut bushes and trees, primarily as food sources for wildlife. Joe also enjoyed playing golf and tennis. He was a rabid fan of Duke University basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

   A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date. West Funeral Home is assisting the family. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Hope’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Asheville, or MANNA Food Bank of Asheville, NC (or other personally local food bank).