Joe Richard Capell, 84, died Thursday, Oct. 3.

He was born in Pensacola, Fla., to Richard Dan Capell and Vonceil Morrow Capell. He spent his early childhood in Vredenburg and Camden. The family moved to Selma when he was in junior high. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and enjoyed the YMCA activities very much. He was one of the first counselors at the YMCA Camp Grist outside Selma. He helped with making the first trails and campsites. He felt Paul Grist, who was the YMCA director, was a great influence on his life. He enjoyed sports during high school at Parrish High School in Selma. During his playing days, the basketball team won 89 straight games and won the state championship. He attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University), and graduated from the school of forestry. His working years were spent with Miller and Co. and Taylor Veneer Co. in Demopolis. He worked in procurement and retired from Scott Paper Company.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Dan and Vonceil Morrow Capell; son, Daniel Stephens Capell; and granddaughter, Melanie Kathelyn Flowers.

He his survived by his wife of 65 years, and high school sweetheart, Kathelyn Day; two children, Richard Stuart (Carol) Capell of Mobile, and Kathy Melinda Capell (Tim) Flowers of Birmingham; three grandchildren, Daniel Timothy Flowers of Birmingham, Kimberly Capell (Randall) Tharp of Mobile, and Dr. Kristyn Capell (Patrick) Burns of Homewood; and four great-grandchildren, Laura Kathelyn Tharp, Davis Randall Tharp, Zachery Atkins Tharp and Stuart Micah Burns.

He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Demopolis, where he served as deacon for many years, was an active choir member and Sunday School superintendent and teacher for many years.

Services will be held Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Demopolis with burial following in Demopolis Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. at the church. Kirk Funeral Homes Demopolis Chapel directing.

Active pallbearers will be Trent Parker, Andy Morgan, Harold Johnson, Jared Hasty, Robert Day, Bo McAlpine, Mike McAlpine and R.C. Watts.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ulmer Tucker Sunday School class.