Joseph Gerald Kaminski, Jr.

Joseph Gerald Kaminski Jr of Visalia was called home to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 21, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. Joe, or Joey as he was known in his younger days, was born on July 30, 1952 to Joseph and Dorothy Kaminski in Hawthorne, California. He grew up with three sisters, Geraldine, Mary, and Debby whom he enjoyed loving and pestering. As a child, the family would travel to Shaver Lake and this sparked his love for the mountains and a passion to be an outdoorsman. He loved the beach, cars, and sports, but came to know the Lord, the most important love in his life, through a church revival when he was entering high school. Joe graduated from Hawthorne High, where he wrestled and played football, before going to work for The Southern California Gas Company. An opportunity to transfer to the central valley allowed him to follow his dream of being a country boy. He moved to Strathmore before settling in Visalia. He married Carol (Maxwell) Kaminski on June 4, 1992, and they set up a family home on a small country property with horses and mules where they raised a combined family of 9 sons and daughters: Garrett, Drew, Danette, Melissa, Joshua, Jacob, Andrea, Blake and Aaron. Joe shared his passion for the outdoors with anyone who wanted to go for a ride. He and his wife Carol spent most of their summers in the saddle, riding in the mountains, at the beach, and working as members of Backcountry Horsemen maintaining trails and enjoying the beautiful landscape that God created. He regularly had one or more of the grandkids, of which he had 26, with him on his adventures, whether that was in the backcountry, at the family cabin at Hume Lake, or just going out for a soda or grabbing a "snack" around town. Never one to pass up a meal, Joe used his love for good food as an opportunity to grow friendships, mentor family and friends, and share the gospel with so many people in his life. A true testament to the decision he made in his youth and of a life well lived can be found in the decisions of his children and grandchildren to follow Christ. He would be most proud of this legacy and remind everyone that our life here is temporary and for God's Glory. 2 Tmothy 4:7-8 says, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." Joe was preceded in death by his parents Joseph & Dorothy Kaminski, and his father and mother-in-law Tom & Jane Maxwell. He is survived by his wife Carol Kaminski, sons & daughters Garrett German, Drew(Vanessa) German, Danette (Joe) Traeger, Melissa (Tim) Morris, Joshua (Trina) Kaminski, Jacob (Amy) Kaminski, Andrea (Dunkin') Holzer, Blake (Stephanie) German, and Aaron Kaminski. His 26 grandchildren: Jaedyn (Jacob), Samantha, Bethany (Karter), Nathaniel, Brooklyn, Ethan, Tristan, Aubrey, Kylee, Seth, Tom, Wyatt, Calvin, Riley, Luke, Dannika, Anna, Cara, Logan, Karis, Mallory, Faith, Levi, Kinsey, Dakota, Peyton, and sisters Geraldine (Patrick) O'Malley, Mary (Allen) Shackleford, Debby(Brian) Warwick. Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, December 17th at 2:00 at Gateway Church of Visalia with a reception to follow. The service will also be live streamed on youtube. Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to: Backcountry Horseman of CA SJS, PO Box 25693, Fresno, CA 93729 Hume Lake Christian Camps, 64144 Hume Lake Road, Hume, CA 93628 Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Joseph Gerald Kaminski, Jr.

July 30, 1952 - November 21, 2024