Joseph Hulett Obituary

Joseph (Joe) Philemon Hulett
March 18, 1937 - January 20, 2023
Lexington, Kentucky - Joseph (Joe) Hulett was born on March 18, 1937, in Lexington, KY. He was the second child born of 5 children to Stanley and Iva Hulett. Joe was a Mason with the Masonic Order, where he received the 33rd Degree. While serving as a mason, he participated with other Fathers in the chaperoning and mentoring of the Boy's Branch. Joe and his wife Nancy were also members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and their son Mark was involved in DeMolay. Joe met his wife, Nancy Hulett, on a blind date his cousin arranged. After 65 years of marriage Nancy says, "God meant for us to be together." Joe and Nancy raised four children together, and though Joe was complicated and at times used tough love, he always strived for his children to have a better life than he had growing up. As he raised his family, he began his career driving trucks for Eckler Moore. These truck driving years were a big part of his life, and he shared many stories from his days on the road. Joe's lifelong love for cars then led him into the mechanic field, where he grew to become a Master Mechanic. Joe began his mechanic work with his ownership of Bug Barn Volkswagen Repair Shop on Rosemont Garden. He also owned Joe Nans Monograms. Later in his career, Joe worked for 3 dealerships: Pinchback-Halloran Volkswagen/Porsche-Audi and Mazda, Pat Halloran Lincoln Mercury Subaru, and Crossroads Ford Lincoln Mercury of Frankfort, which is where most of his career was spent. Late in his career, as Joe still worked at Crossroads Ford, he also went to other Ford dealerships to implement and work on the computer systems and as a regional expert for Ford. He was a 'go to' person who Ford corporate employees would call and lean on for advice when they had unique problems that needed to be fixed and was a mentor and teacher to the younger generation of mechanics working in his shop.
Joe had one older sister, Madeline Finch, two younger sisters, Bethyal Knox and Esther Spencer, and one younger brother, Ballard Hulett. Joe and Nancy had four children, David (Brenda) Hulett, Ralph (Maureen) Hulett, Debbie (Dean) Lowe, and Mark (JoAnne) Hulett. Joe was better known as Poppy or Papa to his 12 grandchildren: Davey Kelm, Heather Lowery, Nathan Lowery, Rachel Romero, Michael (Amanda) Hulett, Jason Hulett, Jackie (Chris) Caron, Catie Hulett, Claire Hulett, Curtis (Becca) Lowe, Cecilia (Jeff) Goh, Ryan Hulett. Joe was also blessed with 18 great grandchildren: Brandon Kelm, Cameron Kelm, Jeremy Kelm, Bailey Lowery, Codey Romero, Landon Camlin, Jordan Hulett, Addie Hulett, Maddie Hulett, Christian Casey, Sophia Hulett, Madison Caron, Nolan Caron, Baby Caron, Emma Lowe, Ace Lowe, Miller Goh, and Joanna Goh. They also have one great granddaughter.
Joe achieved many things in his life, and his family was a priceless achievement of his. He taught them many life lessons, and his children remember quotes he had that are used in their daily lives today. One of those quotes was, "can't is made up of two words: can and not. Are you 'not' going to do it or 'can' you do it". Another came when anyone would ask him, "Can I...?". His automatic response would be, "I don't know, can you? A final standout quote, and words of wisdom, was "say what you mean and mean what you say". Dad, Joe, Papa, and Poppy always used his time to teach, love, and care for those in his life. His lessons, wisdom, and conversations will be missed, but cherished by all who knew Joe. As author Justin Cronin wrote, "As long as we remember a person, they're not really gone. Their thoughts, their feelings, their memories, they become a part of us." Joe will always be in our hearts, thoughts, feelings, and memories.
A private gathering will be held by his family to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers and cards, charitable donations to the Shriner's Hospital or the Hospice/Care Navigators in Lexington, KY in Joe's honor would be appreciated.