Joe Earl Looney was born July 12, 1946 in Ravenden Springs, Arkansas. He was one of five children born to H. Wilburn and Edna Looney and died September 21, 2011. In 1953 his family moved to Hanford, CA, where he resided for over 50 years before moving to Mesa, Arizona. Joe graduated from Hanford High School in 1964 where he played varsity baseball and developed a lifelong love for the game. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fresno in 1968. Upon graduation, he served honorably as a medical technician in the United States Army. Joe began a forty plus year career as a counselor, educator and school administrator. His first job involved counseling inmates in maximum security at Soledad Prison in California. Later Joe transitioned to teaching in the Hanford Elementary School District. After a number of years as an elementary, junior high school and adult school teacher, Joe returned to higher education and earned a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and a Master of Arts degree in School Administration, both from Fresno Pacific University. This work enabled him to begin a successful career as a public school administrator, first as Principal of Jefferson Elementary, then Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, and lastly as Superintendent with the Armona Elementary School District. Interestingly enough, Jefferson Elementary School was the first school he attended as a child when his family moved to California; the first school he served as a teacher; and the first school he was assigned as the Principal. Upon retirement from public education, he spent four rewarding years at Chapman University counseling students in their career pursuits in education. In 2005, he and his wife, Jennifer, moved to Mesa, AZ, where they enthusiastically embraced all that metropolitan Phoenix has to offer, including being loyal Diamondback fans.
Joe is survived by his bride of 33 years, Jennifer; his brothers Ray (Shirley) and John Looney and numerous nieces and nephews. A private memorial service was held on Monday September 26, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Mariposa Gardens, Mesa, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Joe E. Looney Memorial Scholarship Fund at Hanford High School c/o Hanford Joint Union High School District, Business Office, 823 W. Lacey Blvd. Hanford, CA 93230, with reference to Joe Looney's name accompanying your donation.