Joe Upton

Joe Upton, 79, Audubon, MN, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in his home on Little Cormorant Lake.
Joseph W. Upton was born in Fargo, ND, on November 6, 1935, to Harold and Mary Halverson Upton. He grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1954. He enlisted in the USAF and served from 1954 until 1957, stationed in France at Dreux Air Force Base as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. He continued his service in the Air Force Reserves until 1961.
Joe married Shirlenne Joy Littlefield on December 17, 1955 and together they had four children.
Joe started with the Fargo Fire Department on June 1, 1959. He became Assistant Fire Chief in 1981, and retired after 44 years of service on April 3, 2003. He also attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, graduating in 1969 with a degree in accounting.
On May 6, 1989, he was married to Avalee D. Gilbery and she brought two daughters to the family.
He had lived in Fargo for many years and moved to Little Cormorant Lake in 2000. He played softball for many years, and enjoyed cruising to the Carribean, Mexico, Alaska and Panama.
He is survived by his wife, Avalee; children Joe Teresa Upton, Boiser City, LA, Pam Upton, Moorhead, MN, Jeff Becki Upton, Fargo, ND, Stacy Bruce Roerick, Aberdeen, SD, Brandie Jason Reames, St. Michael, MN, Kendra Matt Hartigan, Otsego, MN; fifteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; sister Carol Lussier, Fargo, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Alaila, and infant brother Harold.
Visitation: Sunday, May 10, 2015, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 4:00 P.M., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.
Funeral: Monday, May 11, 2015, at 1:30 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.