Joe Thomas Burchette, Sr. of Spartanburg died peacefully on Friday at age 91. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Lee Burchette, his mother Ruby Griffin Burchette, his brother Robert Lee Burchette, Jr. , his son William Lee Burchette ,first wife Claudette Whitlock and second wife Barbara Quin Burchette. He is survived by his son Joe Thomas Burchette, Jr. and grandaughter Katelynn Burchette, honorary stepson Wilburn Carl “Pete”Whitlock, grandson Nicholas Burchette and spouse Meghan Burchette, and great grand children Skyler, Sadie , Spencer and Sullivan Burchette. In addition, he is survived by the love of his life Jane Fore with whom he spent the last 24 years traveling, dancing and entertaining guests at their condo in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Joe graduated Wofford College while working as a cooperative student employee of Milliken Textiles. He often joked that his salary doubled the day he graduated. He spent the next 45+ years working for Milliken in various roles in research, sales, management and recruiting both domestically and internationally. His favorite assignment for Milliken was the 5 years he spent in Belgium developing the international chemical business for the firm. He spoke fluent French, played the upright bass in a Jazz/blues band professionally, and was a life long shagger and member of the Living Legends Association in Myrtle Beach. Joe was also a sailor, boater and water skier who learned to wakeboard at age 65, a passion he shared with his children and grand children that continues today. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Spartanburg Regional Hospice House in his honor.