Joseph Eschol Burroughs Jr.,

Posted on September 9, 2021

62, passed away on Sept. 1, 2021, in Clearwater. He was born on May 3,1959, in Napa, Calif.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph E. Burroughs Sr. and Patricia Gibson Burroughs, as well as his brother, Jeffery Burroughs.

Joseph was also known by close friends and family by Joe or Jody.

Joe is survived by: his wife, Gradys Colon-Burroughs; his daughters, Chelsea (Ryan) Oberle and Jessica  Burroughs; stepsons, Jorge and Luis Algarin Colon; grandchildren, Carter, Cohen and Evelyn Oberle; sister, Sabrina Burroughs Parga (Genaro); nephews, Miguel and Philip Parga; nieces, Victoria Parga and Britney Burroughs Strickland; and aunts, Norma Guenthner (Donnie), Linda Peacock and Melodie Rupp (Bob) and their families, including his closest cousin and best friend, Gary Guenthner (Marsha); along with a host of cousins, great-nephews and great-niece.

Joe was a loving, supportive, honest and well-thought of person to those who were fortunate to have met him.

He was dedicated to his family and time spent with them was of the upmost importance.

After his high school graduation from Taylor County High School in 1977, Joe began his career with Procter & Gamble. Later, it became Weyerhaeuser in Oglethorpe, Ga., where he became the safety manager, remaining there until retiring in 2015.

He then relocated to Fernadina Beach and continued to work for WestRock in the same position.

It was in Fernadina where Joe lived his most relaxed years, driving along the coast and entertaining his family with his passion for music, along with the best restaurants and car shows he could find.

A celebration of his life will be at a later date with close family and friends. He asked his family to come together and “Enjoy good seafood with oysters and listen to a little Eagles and FleetwoodMac music.”