Bowling Green Remembers Music Educator Joseph Stites

News Summary

The Bowling Green community honors the life and legacy of Joseph “Joe” Stites, a local music educator and hero, who passed away at the age of 69. Known for his passion for music and education, Joe’s impact on students and the community will be remembered. His contributions to music education and local orchestras have left a lasting legacy. A visitation and memorial service are planned to pay respects.

Bowling Green Says Farewell to Local Music Legend Joseph “Joe” Stites

Today, the beautiful city of Bowling Green is mourning the loss of a cherished local hero, Joseph “Joe” Stites, who passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 69 after a long battle with dementia. Known for his infectious love for music and dedication to education, Joe leaves behind an irreplaceable legacy that touched the hearts of many.

A Life Rooted in Music and Service

Born on July 14, 1955, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Joe’s journey was one of love, laughter, and music. He wore many hats, including that of a devoted husband to Pamela Eileen Napier, a proud father to his two sons, James (Jim) and David Napier Stites, as well as a best friend, jokester, and enthusiastic auto mechanic. Joe was a man of faith, too, devoted to his Roman Catholic beliefs and regularly attending Mass each Sunday at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church—where he once served as an altar boy.

Joe was blessed with a loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Hunt Stites and Theresa Ann Barnett Stites, along with his beloved brother, Christopher Grau Stites. Yet, he leaves behind a close-knit family and countless friends who will forever remember his warmth and kindness.

The Journey of a Music Educator

A proud alumnus of Hopkinsville High School, Joe fell in love with music at a young age, joining the school band in eighth grade. His talent shone through during his school years when he was honored twice with selections to the Kentucky Music Educators Association All-State Band. After high school, he pursued a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Western Kentucky University, which he completed in 1977, and followed up with a Master of Science in Music Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1978. His quest for knowledge didn’t end there; in 1995, he returned to UIUC to work on a PhD in Music Education.

Joe’s teaching career began at various high schools in Kentucky and progressed to The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1987, he became part of the Western Kentucky University family, taking on multiple roles. He served as the Associate Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands, and Assistant Professor of Music Education, sharing his passion for music with students for decades.

Achievements and Recognition

An accomplished musician, Joe played with local orchestras and was a founding member of the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra. Throughout his lifetime, he received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Citation for Service from the Kentucky Music Educators Association in 2008, and he was officially inducted into the WKU Department of Music’s Wall of Fame in 2022. Just this year, Joe was honored with the Robyn Swanson Legacy Award from the Third District Music Educators Association, recognizing his profound impact on music education in the region.

Remembering Joe Stites

The community is invited to pay their respects at a visitation scheduled for March 6, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. at J.C. Kirby & Son Broadway Chapel in Bowling Green. Following this, his funeral mass will be held March 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Hopkinsville. To celebrate Joe’s vibrant life, a memorial service is being planned in Bowling Green for June 2025, with details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the Stites family has requested donations be made to Hospice of Southern Kentucky or a public school band program of choice, ensuring that Joe’s love for music education continues to flourish even after his passing.

Joe Stites will be forever remembered for his significant contributions to music education, his dedication to nurturing budding musicians, and his ability to make each person feel valued and loved. It’s safe to say, Joe truly left a mark on the hearts of many, and his legacy will continue on through the lives he touched.

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Additional Resources

• WBKO: Western Kentucky University Music Legend Dies at 70
• Google Search: Joseph Joe Stites
• BG Daily News: Joseph Stites Obituary
• Wikipedia: Music Education
• WNKY: WKU Music Legend Passes Away
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Music
• Legacy: David Cherry Obituary
• Google News: Joseph Stites
• Legacy: Robert Lawrence Obituary
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Obituary