Joseph James ‘Joe’ Bower passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife, on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the young age of 37 years. Joe was born in Red Deer December 28, 1978 to Pat and Jim Bower. He has two siblings Jennifer (Norman, Westin, Wynona) and Jeff. Born into a fifth generation farm family, Joe spent his childhood on the farm influenced by his parents and grandparents (Don and Barb McKinnon and Art Bower and Betty Glover) to grow his love of the rural and family life. Jim and Pat will forever have a sore pitching arm from endless ball practice. Joe spending countless hours with his brother playing baseball and GI Joe. Together Joe and Jeff formed entire fantasy baseball leagues and armies to rule the world (Jek and Boh), and scheming and fighting with their sister Jen. Two strong minds, Joe and Jen enjoyed challenging each other thinking which lead into a strong bond later on. Joe was an excellent big brother, in fact, the best! In 2000, he married Tamara McLean and had two beautiful children, Kayley Morgan (8) and Sawyer James (3). Joe was an energetic and loving father who supported Kayley and Sawyer in their many activities – swimming, gymnastics, inventing games, and running the base paths after Joe’s ball games. Together Joe and Tamara encouraged the kids to seek their own passions while maintaining strong ties to the family core. They shared the love of farm life enjoying many farm animals and pets. They delighted in traveling, especially to Santa Barbara, California, to visit Jen and Norm. Joe enjoyed the support and comradery from his mother-in-law Geri, sister-in-law Melissa Lapierre (Phil, Leia), and Brothers-in-law Jason (Janet, Blake, Cam, Noah, Chloe) and Aaron (Krista, Janelle). Joe’s passion for education led to the creation of his popular blog For the Love of Learning; it was through his professional work and use of social media that he was able to connect and inspire so many. He was an International speaker recently presenting in Barcelona Spain, stimulating/exciting others with his progressive philosophy on education. “Joe’s Last Inning” will be held at the Harvest Centre, Westerner Park, Red Deer, Alberta on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in Joe’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, c/o Unit 39 (Child/Adolescent Mental Health Unit) or the Cardiac Unit at 3942 - 50A Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 4E7 or www.rdrhfoundation.com/donate-now. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.