SSGT. RET JOSEPH BASKERVILLE, JR.

Joseph Baskerville, Jr. of Murrieta, California received his golden wings on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. He was born on Friday, November 23, 1956, the day after Thanksgiving, to Marie Drummond Baskerville and the late Joseph Baskerville. He was preceded in death by his brother, Herman Lee Baskerville and a nephew, Earl Lamont Baskerville.

At an early age, Joseph was baptized, and he joined Good Hope Baptist Church. He attended church when his grandfather (Henry Drummond) would take him. You see, the Baskerville family’s only mode of transportation was their feet.
Joseph received his education in the Mecklenburg County school system and was a graduate of the Class of 1975 Park View Senior High Dragons. While attending Park View, at the ripe young age of 17, the school board had enough confidence in him that they entrusted him with a “GREAT BIG” school bus, carrying 50 or more students. He started driving as a substitute driver, but advanced to become a full-time driver. Joseph also excelled as a member of the Park View Dragons football team.
Before graduating from Park View, Joseph’s mind already was set on his next endeavor- to serve our country in “The United States Marine Corps.” He left for the Marine Corps Basic Training at Camp Lejeune after graduating from Park View. Upon completion of his initial two-year enlistment, in 1977 Joseph moved to Fredericksburg with his oldest brother, Herman Lee, and did masonry work with New-Jo Masonry (Ralph Newell and Fred Jones). While working in Fredericksburg, he decided to join the Army National Guard and attended Germanna Community College. After a while, he got restless again and decided to re-enlist in the Marine Corps. This time, he stayed until he retired honorably in 2000 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

During his tour of duty, Joseph traveled all over the world. To name a few places, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and completed Embassy duty assignments in Islamabad, Pakistan and Montevideo, Uruguay. While stateside, he was assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC., Quantico, VA, Springfield, OH., and Camp Pendleton, CA. Joseph, a decorated veteran, served as a Combat Engineer for nearly thirteen years and as a Recruiter for three years. Because of his stellar performance and honorable service, Joseph received many medals, awards, commendations, and badges. He earned a Good Conduct Medal with five stars, six Meritorious Masts, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, sharpshooter rifle and marksman pistol badges, eight Letters of Appreciation awards, seven Certificates of Appreciation awards, two Certificates of Commendation awards, and a Certificate of Recognition. He added service ribbons for Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service and Sea Service Deployment. In addition, he received respiratory and federal hazardous communication training. Joseph also continued his education in the military with combat engineer, officer leadership and substance abuse and safety courses. Later, he was a Captain for Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), now known as CoreCivic, for approximately seventeen years. In recent years, he provided security services for various facilities.

Although, he was very serious about his work, Joseph’s friends and loved ones remember him as a joyous jokester who loved to tell jokes and to make people laugh. He always wore a smile and enjoyed making others smile. He was fun-loving, comical, and hilarious and was known for causing stomach aches from belly laughs. He was a jogger and an excellent basketball player who loved pick-up games with younger players whom he challenged on the court. He was a loyal Washington Football Team fan. Those who know him well say that his interpretation of speed limit signs could have rendered him a winner on the NASCAR circuit.

Joseph passionately loved his family and others whom he adopted as family. Many family members are left to celebrate his legacy. His beloved mother, Mrs. Marie Baskerville, says that Joseph was a devoted son who called often and always would end a conversation with a joke so that he would leave her smiling. His siblings, Shirley B. Scott, Hattie Harris (Ron), and Charles Baskerville(LoRetta), celebrate his legacy as they say so long for now. While Joseph was in the military, wherever his brother Charles (whom he called Punch) was, you can bet that Joseph was going. Punch would visit him, too. Joseph’s wife, Teresa Ann Baskerville, and his two lovely daughters, Alexis Marie Baskerville, and Jayden Marie Baskerville, and two stepchildren- Ashley Marie Hannel and Brandon Michael Hannel- also mourn his loss. Joseph also leaves two loving aunts Lula Drummond and Beatrice House; an uncle, ShermanS Baskerville; a sister-in-law, Amanda Florine Baskerville; nieces and nephews; and a life partner, Nada Alansari; as well as many proud cousins and loyal friends who love him dearly and pledge to always remember him fondly.  Services held in Lawrenceville, VA with Brown Funeral Home, local arrangements were with Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary. 

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