Joseph Harold Tarlton, Sr.
September 23, 1945 – November 17, 2025
ZEBULON – Joseph “Joe/ Big Joe” Harold Tarlton, Sr., 80, passed on from this life, and now, having completed his earthly assignment, is able to finally rest in his eternal home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and able to reunite with his loved ones gone on before him. He was born in Wake County to the late Russell Willis & Alice Cornelia Kelly Tarlton. Joseph (Joe) not only retired as a Sergeant from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, but also honorably served his country as a United States Marine. Joe or “Big Joe” was a man of many talents. He was an owner operator of a service station for many years before his career with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. After his retirement from the Sheriff’s Office, he started a construction and grading business often using his God given talents to support the church. In his retirement, he worked at the NC fairgrounds year-round where he often bragged about beating the younger ones into work. We all knew what he called work was pure enjoyment and a chance to reminisce about the old times. Throughout his career and life, he was deeply concerned about others having a personal relationship with Jesus and used many of his talents on mission trips and serving his Savior Jesus Christ. He reflected this in his daily life by showing great love, concern for others, and willingness to help in his community. His giving spirit and love for Jesus will linger on his memories of those blessed to know him.
Along with his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carolyn Johnson Tarlton, and his siblings and their spouses, Lorraine Neville (Frank) and Russell Willis Tarlton, Jr (Dianne).
Joe is survived by his beautiful wife, Amanda “Amy” Wolfe Tarlton; his son, Joseph Harold Tarlton, Jr. (Wendy); his grandchildren, Joseph Tarlton III, Nathaniel Tarlton, Ava Tarlton; his stepsons Jim Hinnant (Anna), Matthew Hinnant (Olivia), and grandchildren, Piper Hinnant, Hailey Hinnant, and Graham Hinnant. He is also survived by the siblings and the spouses of his late wife (Carolyn), Kenneth John “K.J.” Johnson (Beth), David Michael “Mike” Johnson (Deborah Hodge), and Joy Whichard (Wendell), and the sibling of wife Amy Gina Crowder (Chris) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be at Hephzibah Baptist Church of Wendell, NC, on Friday, November 21, 2025. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm before the funeral service at 2:00 pm. Burial to follow at Central Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be members of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
Flowers welcome or a memorial contribution made to Hepzibah Baptist Church Missions https://ppay.co/ZOhWAr6MVZY , Wake County Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation, or North Carolina Heroes Fund.
Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com
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Wake County Chaplain Support Services express heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Joe Tarlton Jr. and family. Please know we are thinking of you at this time and continue in prayer for your entire family. May the grace of God grant you comfort and give you peace.
Little Joe,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad.
He was my neighbor for many years although we didn’t intermingle it was always nice to know a retired deputy lived around the corner.
My prayers for peace and comfort sustain you through this sad time
Love Tammy, Kristen P Quinn, Patrick Pearce
Joe and Wendy so sorry for your loss , please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our sweet, considerate, funny, intelligent, smart, smart, Joe!! absolutely you will be missed until we all meet again rest in peace, my sweet, sweet friend. Love always, Johnny and Freda
What can I say, Joe and I have been friends a long time, we will miss him in so many ways. We also will see him and smile in many more ways . Our prayers are for all who loved and cared about Joe, he made all of our lives better,
Condolences to Joe’s family. He was a very kind man. I worked for the USPS and he would come to look for help finding addresses before the 911 addresses were put into place. Thank you for your service to the community and to our country
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