Obituary of Harold Joiner

Harold was born on January 26, 1941, to James and Lila Joiner in their home in Cordele, Georgia. He was the second of five children. Harold was born with his eyes on the sky and a desire to fly airplanes. He worked hard to achieve this dream by working countless hours at the local grocery store. A dream became reality when he acquired his pilot’s license at the age of 16. After he graduated from South Cobb High School in 1959, he joined the United States Air Force. From the small dirt landing strips of Georgia to the massive concrete runways of Strategic Air Command bases around the world Harold served his country with honor. After his commitment was complete he returned to his roots on a small dirt strip in Eastern Colorado where he met the love of his life. He married Elizabeth (Tootsie) Ann Mahlberg on June 3, 1972, and they moved to the Denver area. This union was blessed with two children, Gabriel (Gabe) and Kathryn (Kitty). The children married and started families of their own, which was Harold’s pride and joy. He would harass, annoy and praise his grandchildren all in one sitting. He was so proud of all his grandchildren and their achievements that he could not wait to go to the coffee shop and brag about them to anyone that would listen. He spent countless hours at Albertsons drinking Starbucks Coffee and scratching lottery tickets. This is where he had many friends, who would spend their breaks with him at the tables swapping lies. Everyone who he came in contact with became an instant friend. It wasn’t about strangers, because Harold never knew one. Harold was known to everyone as “Your Pal Hal”. Harold Joiner would want to be remembered not for his time in the military or the countless hours of flying but for the love that he had for his family. The single greatest joy he experienced came from celebrating the gifts of life with his children, grandchildren, and friends. On April 17, 2011 God called him home. We will miss him more than words can express, but we know that he is in heaven watching over us all. Harold is preceded in death by his father and mother, James A. and Lila Mae Joiner, sister Sharon (Shady) E. Pope, and niece Kimberly Ann. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Tootsie) Joiner of Denver, CO., his children Gabe & Mandy Joiner of Cheyenne Wells, CO., Kitty & Stacy Burton of Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. His grandchildren; Tyler, Reyann, Cheyenne, Brittaney, Nick, Katrina, and Jayden. His brother James A. Joiner of Ocala, FL., sister Linda C. & Dudley Lentz of Hiram, GA., and Patty Wheeler of Austell, GA., as well as countless nieces and nephews all of whom love him dearly. And as Your Pal Hal would say,“Carry on Troops!!!!”