Faced with the Vietnam War, Joe decided that it would be better to “fly over Vietnam rather than crawl through the jungles” and so he opted to serve his country in the US Air Force. He completed his Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo Air Force Base flying C-130s. He was later stationed in Taiwan with Tactical Air Command and flew sorties in and out of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. He also flew the T-39 (Saberliner), transporting Air Forces officers and government officials to various locations. After returning to the states he was stationed at Langley Air Force Base and was later promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the Air Lift Command Center (ALCC) at Scott Air Force Base in O’Fallon, Illinois. 

After leaving the US Air Force, Joe was hired as a pilot by Eastern Airlines and flew 727s and DC-9s domestically until the demise of Eastern. He then joined Northwest Air Lines flying 727s, DC-9s, and the A130 Air Bus to destinations in the US, Central and South America, Canada and the Caribbean. He retired shortly before the Northwest-Delta Air Lines merger and he remarked on numerous occasions “I never did anything but fly airplanes my whole [adult] life.” He pointed out that his favorite plane to pilot was the DC-9 because it was less automated and “you were really flying the plane”.

Joe was a former member of Pi Kappa Alpha and was a long-standing member of the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA). In recent years he was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church and was a volunteer in the church’s Tuesday Night Supper Club serving a hot meal to the homeless. He enjoyed gardening but his primary passion in life was traveling, and he traveled at every opportunity. His travels included many locations in the US, the Holy Land (with his mother), Egypt (with his parents), India, numerous European countries, England, Nepal, Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean. His recent notable travels included the Galapagos Islands, a cruise on the Amazon River and traversing the Panama Canal in both directions. In recent years he gained immense pleasure from spending time with his partner and friends at their summer retreat at the Rivers Edge Campground in Dewey Rose, GA.

Joe is survived by his life partner of 26 years, R. Derald Hartley and by his brother and sister-in-law Charlie and Jan Black of Hollywood, SC, nephew Chuck Black and wife Missy of Hollywood, SC and niece Kin Black Joye and husband Ron of James Island, SC. Survivors also include great-niece Emma Black, and great-nephews Charlie Black, Jackson Joye and Ryan Joye. Joe is also survived by his favorite first-cousin David Black of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The family will receive friends at Parker-White Pruitt Funeral Home, 603 N. Main St., Honea Path, SC from 1:00-2:30 on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. A graveside service will follow in the Black Family plot at Eastview Cemetery where Joe will be buried beside his beloved aunt Rubie Black. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Atlanta, GA at a later date. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com