The family of AVIATION ORDNANCEMAN, MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, JOE BROWN WALDREP III, USN (RET) has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend services for their Hero on FRIDAY AUGUST 19, 2022. We are Honored to attend.
Joe Brown Waldrep III, a proud retiree of the United States Navy, passed away Saturday, July 23rd in the presence of his beloved wife, Michelle and her family, and daughter, Britney Maxine Waldrep and her family.
The son of Joe Brown Waldrep II and Lorraine Agnes (Leptich) Waldrep of Gainesville, Georgia. Joe was born on December 11, 1958 and raised in Gainesville, Georgia. He attended local schools through High School Graduation.
Just prior to his 21st birthday, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy on December 7, 1979 and began his active-duty career 12 days later on December 19, 1979. Joe valued his service highly and attained the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman, Master Chief Petty Officer (Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist). During his service, Joe served in Sea Control Squadron 24 (VS-24), Attack Squadron 45 (VA-45), Fighter Squadron 45 (VF-45), USS Forrestal (CV-59), Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division Patuxent River, USS Independence (CV-62), Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Detachment, Strike Fighter Squadrons 125 (VFA-125) and 137 (VFA-137), Naval Air Maintenance Training Activity (NAMTRA) at Lemoore, California, and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) at China Lake, California.
Joe participated in numerous conflicts and exercises while deployed and forward deployed, including Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (5), Good Conduct Medal (9), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (
and Overseas Ribbon (3) and numerous unit commendations and other personal awards.
Joe also served honorably as a Department of Defense Government Civilian supporting the Naval Ordnance Management Policy Manual responsible for content and revisions and as the Recertification Manager for the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Program.
Joe enjoyed the great outdoors, camping and fishing with friends and family, riding motorcycles, tearing through the landscape on his ATV, piloting his drone, brewing the perfect espresso, watching the Jacksonville Jaguars (win or lose), the never-ending battle of wits with his local black bear and most of all, any time spent with Michelle, daughter Britney, Biggy and his large circle of friends.
Joe is preceded in death by his father and mother, Joe Brown Waldrep II and Lorraine Agnes (Leptich) Waldrep, of Gainesville, GA. Joe is survived by his beloved wife Michelle Annette (Craver) Waldrep, of Lake Isabella ,CA; daughter Britney Maxine Waldrep of Lemoore, CA; mother of his child Beatrice Martinez Waldrep; sister Katlynn Waldrep Cote of Gainesville, GA; Colleen “Suzi” Waldrep of Independence, MO; father and mother-in-law Alfred and Annette Craver of Inyokern, CA; brother and sister-in-law John and Candace Whitesel of Port Hueneme, CA: nieces and nephews Lauren Morris Jones, Jordan Morris, Ryan Morris, Sean Morris, Shannon Padilla; dog Biggy; and a host of other family and friends.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the Hero and his family from the mortuary to the cemetery, approx 3 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
TIME TABLE FOR FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST 2022:0800 – STAGE at Chevron Gas Station, 6260 CA–178, Inyokern, CA 93527
https://goo.gl/maps/RLiACzSEK33y3zXs80815 – MISSION BRIEF
0830 – KSU(EST) to Holland and Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/w6U4MaVoMdhR9ae78 0845 – ARRIVAL(EST) – Holland and Lyons Mortuary for Services
0855 – FLAG LINE For dignified transfer of Hero from Private Vehicle to Chapel
0900 – SERVICES
0945 – ASSEMBLE FOR FLAG LINE – For dignified Transfer of Hero from Chapel to Private Vehicle
1000 – KSU to Desert Memorial Park, 801 San Bernardino Blvd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/zXEodbzUTs3zDhvf71015 – ARRIVAL Desert Memorial Park
1020 – FLAG LINE For dignified transfer of Hero from vehicle to graveside for Military Honors.
1100 – DISMISSED
R/C Scoti Tomlinson
SoCalPGR Ride Captain760 499-4950
tomlinsonscot@yahoo.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
