Joseph Thomas Googe, Sr.

Joseph Thomas Googe, Sr., age 86, of Stockbridge passed away Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Mr. Googe was born July 4, 1940, in Baxley to the late Jerry Oneal Googe and the late Alma Oberry Googe and was a member of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in McDonough.

He was raised on the family farm and learned the value of hard work, early mornings and a deep appreciation for the land. In his youth, he was a stand-out athlete, proudly playing basketball for Jeff Davis High School and carrying that competitive spirit with him as he coached his younger sons in baseball later in life.

After leaving the farm, he traveled to Canada on several occasions, where he worked and assisted with tobacco farming. Those experiences were part of a life in which he never shied away from hard work or from learning something new.

He later went to work for Kaiser/Warren Refrigeration. When he was asked to join the union, he made the decision to move on and pursue a different path. That decision led him into the food industry, where he would ultimately build an extraordinary career.

He went to work for Mrs. Kinser's Homestyle Foods, a company based in Tennessee. Beginning in Atlanta, Georgia, he helped the company establish its business there. From Atlanta, he helped open another facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, and later moved to Tifton, Georgia, where he helped establish yet another facility. These years, from approximately 1972 through 1982, were a testament to his ability to work hard, solve problems, build relationships, and help turn opportunities into successful businesses.

In 1982, he began working for Ruth's Salads, a Charlotte, North Carolina, company in the same general food industry. He served as Vice President of Sales from 1982 until 1986. During those years, he continued to develop the relationships, knowledge, and experience that would shape the next chapter of his life.

He also helped the owners of Ruth's Salads establish a brokerage company called Mid-South Brokerage in Charlotte. And then, in 1988, he embarked on what would become one of the defining achievements of his professional life.

Together with his brother, Ralph, he founded Googe Brothers, Incorporated. What began as a family business grew into a highly successful food brokerage company known throughout the Southern United States. From 1986 until 2015, he dedicated himself to the company as a co-owner and meat broker, developing relationships with food-service businesses and retail stores across eleven states.

Known for his integrity and keen business, he built lasting relationships across the industry and was highly respected by his colleagues and clients alike. Outside of work, he was a true outdoorsman who found his greatest peace in nature. Whether he was waiting patiently for a bite on a quiet lake or walking the fields during a crisp morning of bird hunting, he was happiest in the great outdoors. When he wasn’t in the field or on the water, he could be found cheering passionately for his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. Above all, he will be remembered for his warm personality, his quick wit, and his unique eye for detail. He possessed a classic, old-school charm and was famously known for making sure his hair looked its best.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Googe of Stockbridge; sons, Joseph Thomas (Carla) Googe, Jr. of Ty Ty, Joshua Adam (Heather) Googe of Jackson, and Jonathan Justin (Julie) Googe of McDonough; sister, Robinette Googe Williams of Newnan; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Googe and Dyane Googe both of Hazlehurst; eleven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Philadelphia Methodist Church in Hazlehurst at 11:00 a.m. with funeral services following at 12:00 pm with Rev. Michael Sanes and Rev. Steven Riddle officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Joseph Thomas Googe, Jr., Joshua Adam Googe, Jonathan Justin Googe, Jonathan Hunter Googe, Joshua Adam McDaniel, and Zachary Thomas Googe.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home Hazlehurst Chapel.