Adrian "Joe" Brashear
June 16, 1925 - June 5, 2020
Mr. Adrian “Joe” Brashear born June 16, 1925 departed this life on Friday June 5, 2020 at the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard being 94 years old. Joe was born in Viper, Kentucky the son of the late Marion H. Brashear and the late Lillie Watts Brashear. Other than his parents, Joe was also preceded in death by his Beloved Wife, Thelma Ashley Brashear; Seven Brothers, Harrison Brashear, Ernest Brashear, Corbett Brashear, William Brashear, Taylor Brashear, Eli Brashear and Elmer Brashear; Two Sisters, Velora Brashear Proffit and Claudine Brashear Ferguson.



Our precious Joe was a proud U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He joined in 1943 and served on board the U.S.S. L.S.T. 585, where he was Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class, completing important missions in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, most notably the Liberation of the Philippines. His ship was awarded three battle stars for the crew’s heroic actions during the war. His service earned him his place in what was soon to be known as “the greatest generation.” He was hired by the Kentucky Power Company in 1945, completed 45 years of loyal service, and retired as Line Service Supervisor in 1990.



Joe was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and he was a Christian. A member of the Lothair Community Church from the late 1950’s to the present time, he served as Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session, Sunday School Superintendent, Committee Chair, Member of the choir, and youth leader.



He and his wife Thelma operated the Lothair Station Post Office under contract from 1960 to 1975. Joe served his community in several capacities; as a member of the Hazard Civil Air Patrol locating downed airplanes in the mountains, as a founding member of the Black Gold Chainers square dance group in Hazard, and as the first president of Hazard’s Black Gold Festival Committee. He was known by his infectious smile, which bore testament to a joy-filled and purpose-driven life. His legacy speaks of a hardworking, generous and kind man who was always available to help his fellow man. Joe enjoyed card playing with friends and family, singing, dancing, playing a variety of instruments, and gardening. He especially enjoyed precious time spent with family and his larger extended family of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins.



Joe Brashear was certainly one of a kind. A strong man of strong stock, he survived the Depression, World War II, the 1957 flood, and a lifetime of working with live electricity. Evidently God had plans for this man…..and he certainly fulfilled those plans. Thank you God for the gift of Joe. We will will miss him, but we know you will enjoy him in heaven. Goodbye Joe, there simply won’t be another you.



Mr. Adrian “Joe” Brashear leaves the following relatives to cherish his memory: Two adoring Daughters, Nora Lee Brashear Strohm & Fred of Louisville, KY and Ernestine Brashear Cornett & Keith of Hazard; Two Grandchildren, Ashley Erin Cornett Vanover & Steven of Hazard and Connor Fleming Strohm of Louisville; Great Grandson, Gatlin Keith Vanover of Hazard; Brother Mark Brashear & Iris of Middletown, OH ; Sister, Elizabeth Ann Brashear Evans of Hazard; Brother-In-Law, Claude Ashley & Sondra; Sister-In-Law, Phyllis Ashley Watts & Dan; A host of nieces, nephews, as well as many special friends with whom he enjoyed life.



The Visitation will be a private affair for his immediate family only. The Funeral Services will be open to the public and will be held on Tuesday June 9, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at the Engle-Bowling Funeral Home with Pastor Dana Feltner officiating. The Interment will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery located at Jeff, Kentucky.