Thank you to Jay Minnick, Mark and Jill Boliek, Lara and Joe Wood, Mackenzie Casey, Jeff Whicker, the Parkwood EMT's, the hospice nurse, my sister Phyllis and my niece Aimee for coming so quickly. Time has stood still tonight.
Anyone reading, please pray for the entire Lupton and Holland families as we try to comprehend what has happened. Joe is where he will never feel any pain and making even more beautiful music (if that is possible).
I will begin working on arrangements for his memorial service and will do my best to keep everyone informed. Thank you for your prayers and support tonight and going forward. I need your help now more than ever.
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Our deepest sympathies to you and your family -Duke 9300 nursing staff
ReplyDeleteTo the nursing staff of Duke 9300 - thank you so much for the tender and caring manner in which you treated Joe each time he was admitted. All of you are such angels in my eyes. I could count on each and every one of you to give him the best care and attention possible.
DeleteJeff, we have never met, but I know a little about you through this beautifully written blog in which your love and generosity of spirit shine through. Joe was my daughter's chorus teacher at Jordan HS, and we are so grateful to have known him. I hope that you are reading the many posts on Joe's Facebook wall and taking some comfort from them. So many people are grieving with you, and like me and my daughter Sally Anderson sending love and sympathy to help you through this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Catherine. the memorial service for Joe will be this Saturday at 2pm at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 4415 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. Joe has had such an impact on so many lives and we wish to honor him in a simple service filled with music in the place we call our church home. We hope to be surrounded by family and friends as we celebrate Joe's lasting influence on our lives. Thank you for the huge outpouring of love on his Facebook page. I know that this wonderful man that I was blessed to spend almost the last 15 years with is seeing and listening to all the wonderful tributes and smiling. Thank you - Jeff Holland-Lupton
DeleteThe prayers of the Lingafelt family are with you! Joe meant the world to Hannah!
ReplyDeleteThank you Patti. I hope Hannah is doing ok. She and Joe had a very special friendship. An unspoken and spoken language of musical theater nerds. Give my love and thanks for her many visits. the memorial service for Joe will be this Saturday at 2pm at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 4415 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. Joe has had such an impact on so many lives and we wish to honor him in a simple service filled with music in the place we call our church home. We hope to be surrounded by family and friends as we celebrate Joe's lasting influence on our lives. Thank you for the huge outpouring of love on his Facebook page. I know that this wonderful man that I was blessed to spend almost the last 15 years with is seeing and listening to all the wonderful tributes and smiling. Thank you - Jeff Holland-Lupton
DeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteI read your post just now and am tearing up. I can only imagine how you must be feeling and I want you to know that Angela and I are have you in our thoughts and are sending you our love and energy during these most painful times.
Larry
Thank you Larry and Angela. That means a lot to me
DeleteJeff, I'm so very sorry for your loss. You and Joe have been truly amazing through this journey and through it all your love for each other truly shined through. You and your families will stay in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth.
DeleteDear Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI know you don't know all of Joe's students but I hope it gives you comfort to know how much he was loved and will be missed by us. I just hope he knew the same before he passed. My prayers are with you and the rest of your family.
Amanda (Class of '03)
Thank you Amanda (Bostian? - although I'm sure I misspelled the last name - is this you?). If so, I remember you well. the memorial service for Joe will be this Saturday at 2pm at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 4415 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. Joe has had such an impact on so many lives and we wish to honor him in a simple service filled with music in the place we call our church home. We hope to be surrounded by family and friends as we celebrate Joe's lasting influence on our lives. Thank you for the huge outpouring of love on his Facebook page. I know that this wonderful man that I was blessed to spend almost the last 15 years with is seeing and listening to all the wonderful tributes and smiling. Thank you - Jeff Holland-Lupton
DeleteYes, that's me and you spelled it right. I (and I know other students from my class) will be attending the service tomorrow to honor Joe's life and thank him for everything he taught us. Thank you for sharing the service information so we may be able to attend.
DeleteMr. Lupton was such a great teacher, but beyond what he taught his students there was never any doubt when you walked into his classroom (or stage or presence) that you were welcomed, and accepted, and valued - and at the same time were held to high expectations for performance and behavior. (Having high expectations for kids is a great gift to give them, many teachers don't do that anymore.) I know that he was not always treated with the same respect as he gave out (high school kids!) but every day, without fail, he was always able to take a quick breath and turn around and just give out that lesson over & over again. I also know that he loved Jeff, and teaching, and music. I hope he got to know how many people he affected, changed, etc for the better. (oh, no! Now I have show tunes in my head! Mr. Lupton must have something to do with that!) Jeff, I hope you also take the words of all of these fans that Mr. Lupton had to heart and can carry them with you in the times when you miss him. So sorry for your (and the community's) loss.
ReplyDelete-Emily (class of '97)
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI went to school with Joe many, many years ago. He was a gentle giant of a friend then, and I can only imagine that he grew into a gentle giant of a man. I am so sorry for your loss. There are many from Roanoke Rapids High that will be mourning the loss of such a great guy. My prayers are with you and all of your family and friends.
Deepest Sympathy,
Beth Oliver
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteJoe was always a blessings. In the 1970s, he was a student at RRHS and I was a teacher, and I remember the light he brought into a room when he entered. Some how, he had the gift of leaving that light even when he physically departed. I know that is true even now. You are in my heart and prayers, and I believe that you will carry his legacy. You were blessings to each other.
Much love,
Susan Terrell
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteAs I listen to my favorite radio station of Christian music, I think of Joe and the many lessons he taught me about music and singing. Wednesday nights were the highlight of my week with choir practice and I had the joy of sharing it with my son, Brian, who played drums for the contemporary choir. Joe would be pleased to know that Brian plays at Myers Park Methodist in Charlotte every Sunday and continues his love for music, thanks to Joe for allowing him to play while in high school. You both have been in my prayers daily through this journey and I will continue to lift up you, your family and Joe's. My sympathy to you and blessings for comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Love in Christ,
Judy Peede
Eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and let Your countenance shine upon him. Please wrap Your loving arms around his family and friends and comfort them in their time of sorrow. We ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I grieve along with you and your family and friends. Joe was a good friend from grade school on. I can't imagine the pain you're going through right now, but like you said, Joe is in a better place now, and he's not hurting any more. Try to take some small comfort from that. Vaya con Dios, Joe.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteJoe and I grew up together on Franklin Street, him in the 200 block and me "at the top of the hill". We were also friends and classmates (RRHS, Class of '74). His musical tastes were eclectic; at one time in 1969 or 1970 his 2 favorite lps' were Iron Butterfly's "Metamorphosis" and the latest Barbara Striesand album! My daughters and I had the privledge of attending his Piano Concert at PGUMC on December 23, we spoke briefly with you there. I have been praying for you and Joe for many months and will continue to do so.
Our sympathy,
David Tatum
So sorry to hear this sad news. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteJim and Jennifer Philiips
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear the news of Joe's passing. We was a wonderful man, a great chorus teacher and a fabulous patient. He will be missed greatly.
If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask.
Our prayers are with you.
Jason and the rest of the OTC staff
Deepest sympathy to you and to all that knew Mr. Joe Lupton. He was a wonderful man and friend. He will be greatly miss and loved by all.
ReplyDelete