Joseph Claude Bazemore

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(Durham) Dr. Joseph Claude Bazemore, a long-time resident of Durham, NC died on July 28, 2022 at the age of 91.  His life ended after a prolonged illness. 

Joe was born on January 23, 1931 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late John Alfred Bazemore and Susan Henderson Bazemore.  His family was required to relocate a number of times due to his father being a Commercial Agent for the Virginian Railway.  The most important move was to Wilson, North Carolina in 1943 where he met his future wife, Ruth Herring.

Joe attended college at NC State University in Raleigh, NC for 2 years where he enjoyed participating in the Drum and Bugle Corp. as a First Sergeant.  He then moved to Brooklyn, NY and in 1950 graduated as a certified optician from the School of Optics.  He gained employment at the American Optical Company in Columbia, SC. Following his dream to become an Optometrist, he attended night school at the University of SC to gain credits for his admission to Optometry school.   In 1950 he was accepted into the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.  The loss of his father in this same year tested his resolve.  However, Joe chose to remain in school and work several jobs to continue funding his education. 

In 1952, Joe and Ruth Herring married in Wilson, NC. Unknown to them at the time, they would celebrate 63 years of marriage. They moved to Memphis, Tennessee in order for Joe to complete his last 2 years of Optometry School.  He was an active member in many of the College’s professional organizations.  In March of 1955 he graduated from the Southern College of Optometry.  He and Ruth moved back to Wilson, NC. They both gained employment at the Wilson County Tax Office while he studied for his State Board Examination. Joe passed his Boards in 1955 and was granted licensure as a Doctor of Optometry.

Joe and Ruth moved to the town of Tarboro, NC to begin his Optometric practice.  They were both very active in their church and local community organizations. After 5 years of practice, he interviewed and was selected to assume a long established Optometry practice in Durham, NC.  In 1961, he and his wife moved to Durham, NC along with their newly born daughter Ruth Marie.  In August of 1961, they welcomed a second daughter Susan Claude.

Establishing himself in his new practice kept Joe very busy.  He became very active as a member in the Durham Jaycees, the Durham Lions Club, and he served a 3 year term on the Durham County Board of Health.  He was a Master Mason and a member of the Durham Shrine Club.   He remained a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.  For many years, he participated in activities with the US Power Squadrons and was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tobaccoland for 48 years.  Joe served in a variety of capacities in all these organizations both as an officer and committee chairman.

Joe’s very active career as a Doctor of Optometry spanned 61+ years.  He remained a member of the Durham Optometric Society, the Eastern District Society, the NC State Optometry Society, as well as the International Optical and Optometric League throughout his career.  He served as a representative for United States Optometry in Vienna, Austria.  He served these organizations in many capacities over the years as president, officer, lecturer, and as a local, state, and international representative. 

Dr. “B” was pressed into retirement in 2016 due to chronic health issues.  Throughout his career, he often served several generations of the same family.  When reflecting on his 61+ years in practice he stated that “he felt he served his patients well and loved all of his patients as family”. 

Joe’s lifelong love of the sea and sky kept him involved in sailing and flying for many, many years.  A very memorable moment was winning 3^rd place in the NC Governor’s Cup Sailing Regatta in 1979. He was a gifted oil painter and craftsman, as well as an avid photographer who enjoyed documenting his travels throughout the world.

Joe is survived by his daughter Ruth Bowman and her husband Ray of Durham; his daughter Susan Spencer and her husband Scott of Henrico, Virginia; grandchildren Bristol Bowman Vaughn (Kirk) and Patrick Bowman of Durham; grandchildren Samantha Wilmer (Jordan), Sheldon and Sierra Spencer; and his great grandson Jackson Wilmer.  He was predeceased in death by his parents, the late John Alfred Bazemore and Susan Henderson Bazemore; his brother John Alfred Bazemore, Jr.; and his wife of 63 years Ruth Herring Bazemore.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 2pm at the Hall-Wynne Chapel, 1113 West Main Street, Durham, NC, 27701.  The service will be officiated by Rev. Adam Brinkley.  The family will receive friends Friday, August 26 from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM at Hall Wynne Funeral Services.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Amedisys Hospice, to Joe’s compassionate caregivers, and to their many friends for all of their support during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joe Bazemore’s memory to the Shriners Hospitals for Children by either mailing a check to PO Box 1510, Ranson, WV, 25438 or https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/145680/#!/donation/checkout.

 The Bazemore family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.  Online condolences:  www.hallwynne.com, select obituaries.