Justin Hawkins
The Athens Review
Athens —
How do you describe a man that has touched so many lives? Is he a great man? I think not, because when I look around this room, I would have to say that he is a legacy.
PaPa Joe Ardoin is the type of man that would give you the shirt off of his back if he felt like you needed it. He is also the type that would get up in the middle of the night to help someone if they needed it, and wouldn’t expect anything in return. So many of us in this room have had the pleasure of being very close to him, and you should cherish that. There are two men that have been in my life from the day I was born that taught me to ge the man I have become, my father and my grandfather, PaPa Joe.
They taught me that with a little hard work, a man can do anything he wants in his life. Also, they taught me that a man is only as good as his word. PaPa Joe is definitely a man of his word.
Finally, they taught me about respect. From respecting my elders to watching my language in front of women and children.
To my Maw Maw, I can only hope that my wife and I can share as much love and happiness that you and PaPa Joe did.
The two of you raised a beautiful family, and should be proud of the way everyone turned out. You know one day he told me that all of the women in Louisiana knew how he was, and he had to go all the way to California to find one to keep, but I sure am glad he did, and if I may say so myself, with you, he won the lottery.
To his children, I know that your Daddy is proud of the way that each and every one of you turned out. I am sure that each of you gave him a hard time from time to time, mostly you girls bringing them characters home to meet your mom and dad.
I can see that each of you have a big piece of him in you, from his smile and personality to his work ethic and discipline. Your parents raised you to have respect, and all of you instilled this into your children. You should all be proud of PaPa Joe Legacy.
To his grandchildren, I know that Paw Paw loves us each very much. It doesn’t matter if you were born as his grandchildren, or married into the bunch. You were his grandchild just the same. He took every chance he could get to spend time with us. From working in the yard with him to going fishing, any time with grandchildren is good times for Paw Paw. I know any time I was with him, he would tell stories and joke around just to make me laugh, and I’m sure it was the same way for the rest of you.
To his great-grandchildren, you are part of something great. Some of you know Paw Paw Joe very well, and have known him a long time, and there are others of you that barely know the man that is a big part of your lives. You are all what continues the PaPa Joe Legacy.
Finally, to his friends, I know that you all mean a lot to PaPa Joe. Whether it be friends from working together, to being friends from town, he loves you all.
I know that PaPa Joe Legacy will continue forever.
