Joseph DeBose

Joseph (Joe) Mathews DeBose, Jr. was born on March 4, 1929, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Joseph M. DeBose, Sr. and Rebecca Wimberly DeBose. He attended grade school at the Edward Waters College Lab School and the upper grades at the historic Stanton High School. Under the influence and tutelage of his graphics arts teacher and mentor I. Emerson Bryan, he enrolled in Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia, and majored in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation from college, he worked a brief stint at the Davis Printing Company in Detroit, Michigan and joined the U.S Air Force shortly thereafter where he served as a drafting instructor. His next position was with the Washington, District of Columbia government followed by an illustrious 30+ year career at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U. S. Department of Treasury. He attended postgraduate courses at American University and completed the Senior Executive Service curriculum at the Wharton School of Business and the University of Virginia. When he retired in 1988, he was the Assistant Director of Operations, responsible for the printing and production of currency and postage stamps. Joe married his college sweetheart Jeanne Acree in 1951 and made their home in Washington, DC, where they joined Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ. He served on the Deacon Board for many years and as its chairman for four years before achieving emeritus status. He also served in many other capacities, notably as chair of the annual Crab Feast held in Baltimore, Maryland. Joe was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Beta Chi Chapter, Hampton Institute in 1949, and was active in the Washington, DC Alumni Chapter for many years. He was a charter member of the Kappa Endowed Scholarship Fund and designed its logo. The highlight of his Kappa life was attending the Beta Chi Chapter’s 75th Anniversary last April, where he was feted for 73 years of membership. In his later years, Joe resumed his artistic career and drew portraits of his favorite people. He would never accept payment or commission but was encouraged to submit a piece to the 2021 Torch of Wisdom Foundation, Inc. juried art extravaganza. He was flabbergasted and pleased that it sold! He leaves to mourn him his children Debra Jeanne and Andre Joseph (Claudia), grandsons Michael D. Casey II, Brenden Joseph DeBose, and Elliott Claude DeBose, sister Mary DeBose Clark, nieces Carol Clark Marshall and Sharon Clark Bailey, and nephews Kevin Randall Dobbins and Keith Granville Dobbins.

Joseph DeBose

March 4, 1929 - September 7, 2022