Joseph Ray Harbin

Joe Harbin age 81 of Indianapolis completed his final round on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Golf, Gardening, and Family were the fabric of his life. Joe leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Helen, his children Kerry (Pamela), Jill (Rusty) Creech, Amy (Melanie Brown) Harbin, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sisters June Overstreet, Ruth Belcher, many nieces and nephews. His sister Velma Sturgis preceded him in death. Born in 1933 in Linton Indiana to Wm. Alfred and Callie Harbin, Aside from his service years in the Navy, Joe spent nearly all of his life residing in Indianapolis Indiana. The last 54 years in the house that he had built on West 58th Street when he married wife Helen, and 65 years at his second home, South Grove Golf Course, were he "resided" since 1949. Joe always loved competing in sports and was active in baseball, basketball and track at Tech HS. His passion for golf started while as a sophmore while he studied drafting and carpentry, his teacher happened to be the golf coach. Carpentry became his life's work and golf became his life's passion. When he "retired" from General Motors in 1993, he was able to combine work with his love for the game and began working on the grounds crew at South Grove Golf Course. For the past 20 years, Joe has been cutting the greens at sunrise on the course he loved six days a week. You could not find someone who loved that job more than him. He was always a hard worker, but South Grove insisted that he take off at least one day per week. Joe played nearly every weekend in the South Grove men's club and often during the weekdays. He particulary enjoyed many of the lifelong friends from the course. When the weather did not permit golf, Joe also enjoyed playing cards at the American Legion post. Joe learned his love for gardening from his father and each year planted a large garden which kept many friends stocked with produce. The neighbors are going to miss those tomatoes this year! Joe's real passion in life was watching and particpating in the growing of his extended family. Joe attempted to attend every game, recital, performance or event of his children and grandchildren that he could - he was a proud patriach. He will be missed.