A man who has made many days better for many people in Logan & Beyond is having his own day.
Logan Fiscal Court has declared Saturday, April 25 Joe Carrico Ministries Day. The scope of his ministries is too big to be for Logan County
alone. The entire state shares in saluting this special man. The people whose lives he has affected for the good are spread out through America and the
world.
Although many may not know him as ‘Reverend’ or ‘Carrico,’ people all over the world know “Brother Joe.” Many of them are serving in war
territories and in hostile environments, but their lives have been enriched by knowing Brother Joe.
So have people in countless Kentucky counties who have been fed and clothed by Brother Joe and his legion of friends, especially in times of
disaster. Relief work under his leadership has also spread to Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and other states.
Scattered throughout Kentucky and other states are countless children-turned-adults (with children and grandchildren of their own) who had
Christmases when they were toddlers because of the beneficence of the Toys for Tots program Brother Joe has led since 1955.
Some people are living today because of the funds Brother Joe helped raise as the leader of the Logan County Heart Fund Sports Spectacular, which
brought Kentucky’s biggest sports celebrities to Logan County in the 1970s.
The people who came to know the Lord at Post Oak Baptist Church saw His love reflected in the love, care and devotion Brother Joe demonstrated in
his 40-year ministry there. Children who grew up in that congregation are spread throughout the country, too, hopefully caring on the personal ministry
they learned from him.
Handicapped people around Kentucky are still benefiting from his work with and for them in his relationship with Russellville-based
Agape.ministries.
The relationship between Logan County and the military at Fort Campbell is one of the most special in America. Brother Joe is the face, heart and
soul of that mutual admiration and helpful interaction.
Additionally he served his community for many years as a member of the Russellville Electric Plant Board and on the board of the Barren River Area
Development District.
One of Russellville’s most familiar landmarks, the park in the middle of the downtown ‘square,’ is named for him.
Now it’s time for the people of Logan & Beyond to help the man who has helped them so much. His 85-year-old body is showing the ravages of
time and wear. He has lots of medical expenses. And he has many more missions he wants to carry out that he can no longer afford to fund personally..
On Saturday, a four-hour radiothon will be aired over WRUS under the leadership of his long-time friend, Lon Sosh. While Brother Joe greets
well-wishers over the phone and at the radio station on the Nashville Road, volunteers will be manning a phone back donated by Logan Telephone
Cooperative to accept pledges. The special number from 1-5 p.m. will be 542-LOVE (542-5683).
Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 263, Russellville, KY 42276. Checks should be made to Joe Carrico Ministries.
The following are comments about Brother Joe which some of our readers have graciously submitted:
Al Smith: “
I remember a season of extra heavy flooding in the eastern Kentucky mountains back in the 1970s when Gov. Julian Carroll decided to fly up and take a
look at relief efforts.
“At South Williamson in Pike County on the West Virginia line, a Courier-Journal reporter told me, one of the local politicians told the Governor he
hadn’t seen anybody from the Red Cross or the Salvation Army, but a helicopter from Fort Campbell had brought in a load of pampers, detergents, and
fresh water some preacher in Logan County had collected.
“As the publisher of the Russellville paper, I didn’t have to guess that the preacher might be Joe Carrico; I knew. Ever since I met Brother
Carrico, 51 years ago when I came to Russellville, he has been associated in my mind with good works for community causes that reach far beyond his
church. So South Williamson was a few miles east of Post Oak Church, to understate the case-not to worry: there was a need, the place was under water,
and, in the name of Him who could walk on water and calm the waves, Joe sent the choppers.”
Jack Whipple:
There is no way to tell anyone what Bro Joe has meant to our county. I had some minor surgery about three or four years ago and had to get pre-op done.
Afterwards, I stopped to see him. He’d had some blood clots removed from his legs. He wanted to pray for me. I said to myself that it looked like he
was the one who needed the prayer.
“Went I got home I said we have to something for him before something happens to him. The light bulb lit up-- why not name the city park for him? So I
went to Mayor Yasney and said something to her. She liked the idea. At the next council meeting she invited him to say the prayer. I told Don Neagle
something nice was going to happen. When Bob Hedges read the proclamation, Bro. Joe started to cry.”
June Robinson: “
The word, "Agape" means unconditional love. To me, that word personifies the essence of Brother Joe. Through the years, he has been my Pastor, my
counselor, my brother, my father, and my friend. When I suffered illnesses and losses in my life, Brother Joe was there. I can't tell you how
many times he called me, prayed for me, and comforted me during those trying times. I know I will never have a friend like I have in him, and my life
is blessed by his being in it.
“The amazing thing is that he has been and still is that kind of friend to literally thousands of others. Brother Joe accepts people right where they
are. He never judges, never "culls" a single person. I know there are so many stories out there that people could tell about how he has helped them,
and in many cases, changed their lives for the better. I remember asking him one time if he had ever delivered a baby. He smiled and said, ‘Close to
it. veryclose to it.’ And you know what? I'd bet that if he had to, he could do even that!
“And what would Logan County be without him? Would there have been any "Toys for Tots"? Would Fort Campbell be here at a moment's notice when we needed
them? Would there have been a ministry such as his for the disabled and handicapped? Would any other person here be able to go to Frankfort and be able
to see the Governor or any other high-ranking official with no appointment? And get from them whatever he needed to get for our betterment?
“Well, I could go on and on, but will close by saying that after all that Brother Joe has given to all of us these many years, it is fitting and right
that we give back to him on his special day. Make no mistake about it; we can never repay all of the wonderful things he has done (and is still doing!)
for all of us. But this day will be our opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to Brother Joe.
“God has truly blessed us with Brother Joe. May He continue to richly bless our dear friend.”
James and Clarkie Milam: “
Joe Carrico is God's gift to remind us of God's real GIFT.
When we think of Joe, we think of humility.
When we think of Joe, we understand service.
When we think of Joe, we see love.
When we think of Joe, we believe in caring.
When we think of Joe, we remember sacrifice.
When we think of Joe, we know we are fortunate.
“Joe Carrico is that bright star on a dark night.”
Lauri Jayne Warden: “
Bro. Joe was my pastor as I was growing up, and one of the things I remember most was him coming to my house the morning my father died. Everyone was
upset and too busy to worry about a 6-year-old girl, but Bro. Joe took the time to sit down with me and helped me dress my doll.
”That simple act of kindness kept me occupied during all the chaos that day and has served as a role model for me and how I treat children in all types
of situations.”
Pat Walpole Bell: “
Bro. Joe has been a great asset to our community. I don't know what we would have done without him. He is always willing to help anyone doesn't matter
who they are. He is very thoughtful, unselfish and always thinking of others and not himself. It has been a honor knowing him.
“I think he has done a great job with the Toys for Tots because there would be a lot of children that wouldn't have Christmas if it were not for him
working so hard to provide. “There just aren’t enough words to describe how much of a wonderful person he is. It is certainly great to have a tribute
for him.”
Dana Richardson: “
Brother Joe Carrico became a name in our household a couple of years before I was even born. He was the first person to visit my mom and dad, Charles
and Ima Jean Richardson, when they first moved back to Logan County. This has been a memory my parents will never forget and was the beginning of a
wonderful friendship. Joe Carrico has been a great inspiration to my family.
“A few weeks ago I was at Leonard Adamson’ s funeral. It was a celebration of his life. He, like Brother Joe Carrico, has added great value to the
community without receiving much recognition. As I was exiting this great celebration-saddened by our community’s loss, I saw someone sitting in that
crowd that helped ease the pain. Sitting there in the crowd of people with his wonderful wife was Brother Joe.
“I went over to greet him, and as always he greets you with a smile. I know that day he probably did not feel well, but he was paying his respects to a
man that had given a lot to the community.
“Now it is our time to pay our respects to Brother Joe Carrico and work hard to get as
many pledges as we can at this radiothon. I heard on the radio the other day the question was asked why are we doing this for Brother Joe? There should
not be any questions, just great response. This is a man who has not been judgmental and has helped our community in every way.
“I have been blessed to know Brother Joe, and I along with my family would like to
say ‘thank you’ for all he has done and continues to do.”
Jerry White:
“It’s great that the community is having Joe Carrico Day. I can’t think of anyone who has done as much for as many different people-especially those in
need-as Brother Joe.”