Joe Miller McKelvey, Jr.
March 16, 1932 ~ December 23, 2017
Born in:
Duluth, GA
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, GA
Joe Miller McKelvey, Jr., age 85 of Lawrenceville, GA passed away December 23, 2017. Joe is a native of Gwinnett County. He attended the Duluth schools. Played basketball four years at Duluth High School. Was second honor graduate and captain of the basketball team in 1948. He was also named to the county and region all star teams in his senior year. Joe attend West Georgia, signed a professional baseball contract with the old Atlanta Cracker team and played minor league baseball at Waycross, GA and Panama City, FL. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1953, with a B.S. Degree in Education. Joe coached twenty one years in high school, three years at Duluth and the last eighteen at Central Gwinnett. He coached teams that have participated in State play offs in Basketball, Football, Baseball and Golf. Boys basketball teams averaged 18.5 wins per season for twenty one years of coaching. He Won the State championship in 1962 and was runner-up in 1969. Three other teams were rated in the season final top ten. While at Central Gwinnett the boys played in finals of the Gwinnett County Tournament on eleven occasions, winning the championship eight times and finishing runnrs-up three times. He served for two years as chairman of the Basketball division of the Georgia High School Coaches Associations. Joe served as President and Vice President of the Gwinnett County Tip off Club. He received a Masters degree in educational administrative from the University of Georgia in 1974, and a six year education specialists degree in administration in 1975. Joe was the principal at Lawrenceville Middle and retired in 1984. He is survived by his children, Margaret McKelvey Gorlin, Roswell, Elizabeth Newman and her husband Wayne, Bishop, GA, Rob McKelvey and his wife Leigh, Brookhaven; grandchildren, Lily Frances Gorlin, Mills Joseph Gorlin, Grayson Miller Newman, Grant Wiley Newman, Griffin Vann Newman, Liz Margaret Newman; uncle, Winford Lindsay, Lawrenceville. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel with Dr. Lamar Holley officiating. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Joe to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675. The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy. Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Coach Joe’s mother Lucy, was a Hood friend of my mother Dorothy Jones. They were from Duluth. So I have known Joe my whole life. Loved having him for a coach and teacher at Central Gwinnett. Our basketball team won the county tournament when we were younger and he gave all of us an engraved basketball charm. Loved Coach Joe. Then his children were friends with my son. So sorry to hear this. Rest in peace Joe.
Great coach and great teacher. Coach Joe on our junior varsity girls’ teams taught us the basketball fundamentals and how to run plays and we went on to two junior varsity championships. I still remember play #1 was a give and go and play #2 was a screen. Rest in peace.
Coach Joe was an awesome coach. I had him for a teacher. Rest in Peace Coach Joe! Prayers for your family.
Love you Coach Joe. Have many fond memories of you playing basketball in 7th and 8th grade. You were a great coach and teacher. You will be missed. RIP
Coach Joe was a wonderful teacher, coach and person. He was a friend to all. Praying for his family.
Joe Rob and myself played many rounds of golf together growing up. See you soon Joe, Richard
Coach Joe was one of the best. Loved my days of playing for him, RIP coach you will be missed by many.
RIP Joe Miller McKelvey
Coach McKelvey was an amazing man who taught by example and had strong morals and integrity. He drove his Batmobile to Central and inspired many generations of students to love and show compassion to others, give of themselves, and make a positive impact wherever you may be.
Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
A man that had a great influence on so many. Have several “Coach Joeisms” that pop in my head from time to time. Will be missed. RIP.
I am sending my thoughts and prayers to each of you during this difficult time. May God wrap each one of you in his arms and comfort you. Much love, Pam Ortega & Family
He was an amazing person!! Prayers to the entire family!!
Went to probably a dozen schools and you were my favorite principal …a crusader forever in my minds eye…Godspeed.
You are a great guy who raised some great children.
So many wonderful memories leaving such a legacy behind! He taught me a short girl could play basketball if she wanted it bad enough. Gave me my nickname in 8th grade became Cheeky, great teacher showed his love for all students and ballplayers. RIP Coach Joe! Prayers to comfort your sweet family whom you adored!
Coach Joe was a scholar and a gentlemen. He was my coach in basketball and baseball. I learned a lot of life’s lessons from him.
I use most of them still today. You were a great role model. You will be missed Coach Joe.
Great principal and person. Sorry for the families loss and the community.
I had the pleasure of knowing Coach Joe from Central Gwinnett. I was his office aid.He was a great man that was well respected. Then I was able to know him as Mr. McKelvey when he hired me as a first year special education teacher at Lawrenceville Middle. He was a very good principal. He has influenced so many young people and teachers over the years. I know he will be missed.
I didn’t attend Central Gwinnett but my senior year but Coach McKeley was one of the nicest, kindest, helpful and encouraging teachers there!
RIP Coach Joe!
i remember, being from lawrenceville middle, he was a good person, he would have a smile on his face, whenever you pass him in the hall, my prayers are with you rob, and beth
Coach Joe had a huge influence on me, not only as a player , but as a man. He is the reason that I got into the coaching profession myself. I owe a lot to him. You will be missed.
What a wonderful person, teacher and friend we all knew during our time with him. He was a very smart man and really knew what he was teaching and also, could be little hard on you so that book would mean something in the future and know all about Health. I know all the family members, will have wonderful memories to talk about and we all know what a wonderful life he lived. I enjoyed seeing him all during the elections, he was always their to vote. May God be with all of you as you say good-bye to a wonderful man. God Bless You All.
Coach Joe you will be missed. I enjoyed my time playing baseball for you and being picked as one of four freshman foer basketball but I stayed with baseball. You and Bartow can have many stories to remince about. RIP
Proud to have known, played against his
teams officiated but most of all a friend.. Regret missing his services but since we will be going to the Rose Bowl somehow know Coach Joe would understand.
My condolences to Coach Joe’s family. Coach Joe taught us all many lessons: Dedication, hard work, team work, and how to win humbly and lose graciously – on the playing field and in life. He was a good role model to follow. Now… line up and let’s get some r-o-l-l call! Minus 2, no t shirt!
Margaret, Beth and Rob – I am so sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of your dad as a principal but more as a neighbor and father of my friend. I loved spending time at your house. Please know my thoughts are with you all.
JOE WAS A GREAT GENTLEMAN
My prayers & thoughts are with each one of you during this time of the loss of your father. May God give you peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time. I know he will be missed by so many people and friends. .Love ~ Verla Newman
Coach you were a great coach, teacher and friend. All of us that played for you have special memories that will live on. My condolences to the family.
I am so glad I got to spend some time with Coach Joe a few weeks ago. A great man a great coach and a great influence on all that played for him. I’ll bet that he is in Heaven now laughing with BUTCH and BARTOW about the great times they had putting up with all of us. Coach you were the best.
My Mother, Mary Josephine (Jo) Abel is Margie Lindsay’s Sister !
We are Sorry for your Loss !
Our Thoughts & Prayers go out to All the Family !
Jo, Steve, Dave, Tom & Mike Abel / Newark, Ohio
The Last time we were in Dacula was 2006 !
Joe had a positive influence on so many people and especially the young people who were his students. Frequently someone who was one of his students refers to his influence on their life and that is just one of many ways he had influence and impact on the people fortunate enough to know him. My thought and prayers are with the family.
So sorry, Margaret, Beth and Rob. I think about my days at LMS and your Dad as my principal with such great memories. Loved my days teaching there. He will be missed.
RIP Coach Joe.
You are a Gwinnett County coaching legend in my book. The positive impact you made in and outside of the sports arena will be felt for generations.
Margo, Beth and Rob – our thoughts are with you, we are so sorry for your loss. Your father was a wonderful person, so many people have benefited from his work as an educator and coach and so many will continue to feel the ripples from that good work. Love Heather and Ivan Wademan
Coach Joe was a great coach, teacher and mentor to so many students at Central Gwinnett. I loved and respected him.
Dear Margaret, Beth & Rob,
Your dad was a friend, colleague, and yes, a co-conspirator in planning fun. He was an advisor, confidant & helper, and although he was a man of strong beliefs, he did not hesitate to listen closely and to seek the opinions of others. One of my favorite expressions he used frequently when sharing ideas was “Will you send me a copy?” That became a quirky tag-line associated with Joe and even today triggers a hearty chuckle. He was always was the best dressed of the group, and would never be caught looking “slouchy,” which reflected his belief of being prepared. I will miss my good friend Joe, and my condolences are with you all as you embrace the fond memories of a good man and a good Dad. Rest In Peace, Joe.
Coach Joe you were a wonderful person and a great Coach , you will be miss by many . R . E . P .
Revelation 21:4
And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away
Coach will be missed
he will be missed
Sorry to learn about Joe’s passing. I just learned about Joe, I have been in Denver with my new grandbaby at the time of the funeral. I am sorry to have missed his service.
Larry McKelvey