In Loving Memory of Joseph Harry Scales Jr.

Joseph H. Scales Jr. of Greenville, South Carolina, formerly of Fife, Virginia in Goochland County, went to be with his Lord on December 27, 2008. He is survived by his wife of fifty- years, Roselle Faulconer Scales and by his daughter, Mary Scales Lawson and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Lawson of Greenville. He was predeceased by a daughter, Grace Scales Yoder of Fairfax, Virginia. He is survived by her husband and wife, Joe and Patty Yoder. Mr. Scales is also survived by four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren: Roselle Lawson Bonnoitt of Greenville, S. C.; Margaret Lawson Meadows, of Jacksonville, Fla; Joseph Scales Lawson of Charlottesville, Va; Caroline Yoder of Nashville, Tennessee; and Madeline Yoder and Grace Yoder of Oakton, Virginia. He is also survived by two sisters, Grace Scales Evans of Maryland and Anne Scales Sims of Cascade, Virginia. He was predeceased by a brother, Edgar Forrest Scales and a sister, Elizabeth DeShazo .

 

Mr. Scales served his country in World War II as a Pacific based pilot in the U. S. Air Corps. His professional occupation was that of a conservationist. He worked 29 years as District Conservationist in Goochland, Fluvanna and Powhatan Counties for the United States Department of Agriculture. He was one of the first to pass the Virginia State soil scientist exam. After retirement, he established a private consulting firm dealing with the practice of soil and water conservation. He designed many lakes in the state of Virginia.

 

He served as Sunday School superintendent and was an elder for many years in Byrd Presbyterian Church, Goochland Virginia. He was a delegate to the General Assembly in 1974 for the Presbytery of the James.

 

Through the years, Joe received many awards and commendations. In 1985 he was chosen to be Grand Marshall in the Goochland Day Parade. He served as President of the Goochland Historical Society, the Goochland Farm Bureau, the Ruritan Club, and the Soil District Supervisors. He also served on the board of zoning appeals of Goochland County for 12 years. In 1974-75 the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District recognized Joe as largely responsible for its winning first place in the Goodyear Conservation Award and runners up in 1975-76.

 

The ultimate highlight for Joe was following his move from Goochland to Greenville to be nearer his daughter and medical facilities. This came when the Goochland Historical Society and the Goochland Garden Club honored him and his wife with a reception and presentation of a tray on which was engraved: “Joseph H. and Roselle F. Scales – In grateful appreciation for your devotion to and active involvement in the life of Goochland County, Virginia for more than 50 years.” Then later, the Goochland County Historical Society dedicated their magazine to Joe and his wife.

 

Born in Cascade, Virginia, March 21, 1922, he was the son of Grace Fitts and Joseph Harry Scales. He attended Virginia Polytecnic Institute prior to World War II. After the war, he completed his studies and graduated from the University of Virginia.

 

 Grandfather, you will be missed.

2 thoughts on “In Loving Memory of Joseph Harry Scales Jr.”

  1. JOE SCALES WAS A LONGTIME FAMILY FRIEND TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY. AS A YOUNG BOY I OFTEN VISITED, SLEPT OVER, AND PLAYED AT THE SCALES FARM IN FIFE, VA. THE VERLOOP FAMILY’S THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU.

  2. Hi Joe,

    I am really sorry to hear about your granddad passing. He was truly an amazing person. I was blessed to get to know him and spend time with him and your grandma. Your granddad was a really great storyteller. I remember when the 3 of us went out in his truck to go see his land the ponds he had built. I loved hearing his stories about his life. He always made me feel welcome in his home. I will always remember him sitting at the head of the table at Thanksgiving saying prayers and telling stories and jokes. He felt like a grandpa to me after my own grandfather was gone. I will always hold him close to my heart. I feel blessed that I got to know him.

    Sara

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