Joseph Donal Glisson, age 85, of Louisville, KY, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Joe was born on May 31, 1937, in Lansing, MI. Son of Joseph Coy and Pearl Lee (Tuck) Glisson.

He graduated from Eastern High School in Lansing MI in 1955, and Michigan State University in 1959 where he received a Bachelor of Economics degree. While in college he managed a shoe store, working 40+ hours a week while being a full-time student. This experience made him fall in love with retail where he spent his entire career. After his college graduation, he moved to Cincinnati to work for Shillito's Department Store as a young exec where he met and fell in love with Nancy Mae (MacLaurin) of White Hall, MI. They were married in January of 1961.

Over the years Joe's love of retail moved him up the corporate ladder and across the US. He worked for Knapp's Dept Store, Jacobson's Dept Store, Macy's Dept Store, Belk Dept Store, Mac Tools and eventually Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN, where he created a profitable university bookstore, and created and operated a separate retail store on campus that provided hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships.

Upon retirement he and his wife moved to Louisville, KY, where he couldn't stay retired for long. Always looking for a way to make a business more profitable, and share his business acumen with anyone who would listen he began working as a management consultant.

Joe was a loving husband (to his wife of 62 years) and a dedicated father to his 5 children. He was a gifted carpenter, architectural designer, and was a life-long Detroit Tigers and Michigan State fan. He was also a very active Scout leader . . . until the canoe sank.

Over his life he was always very dedicated to his church family where he had served at different times as a deacon and youth leader. Upon moving to Louisville he and his wife were faithful members of Westport Road Church of Christ.

Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy Mae (MacLaurin) Glisson of 62 years. Sister, Donna (Glisson) Reynolds of Frisco TX. Son, Shawn Dana Glisson, MD (Vickie Yates) of Louisville, KY. Daughter, Karen Jo Tucker (Robert) of Birmingham, AL. Daughter, Kimberly Ann Gilliam (Jimmy) of Athens, AL. Daughter, Kelly Ann Stack (Steve) of Louisville, KY. Son, Scott Daniel Glisson (Emily) of Tuscaloosa, AL. He is also survived by 19 grandkids – Stephanie Pearl Glisson (Phi), Hayley Tucker Farris (Jonathan), Grayson Tucker (Margaret Anne), Brooke Tucker Parker (Bennett), Connor Watkins (Emma), Kaitlyn Watkins, Evan Stack, Madalyn Stack, Preston Glisson (Lisa), Tripp Glisson (Brianna), Briley Glisson, Harper Glisson, Ansley Glisson, Brooks Glisson, Hudson Glisson, Jonathan Gomez-Ha, Miller Glisson, Shepherd Glisson and Adiel Haramos, and great-grandkids Emmett Tucker, John Tucker, and Henry Parker.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 30 from 3-7pm at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road, Louisville KY 40291. Funeral services will be held on May 31 at 11am also at Fern Creek Funeral Home.