Joseph “Joey” Fredrick Jarman, 57, of Wilmington, passed away Friday, September 2, 2022 at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was born July 30, 1965, son of Linwood Jarman and the late Dixie Lee Shelton Jarman.
Joey was preceded in death by his mother, Dixie Lee Shelton Jarman.
He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He was the President of his own company, Planet Three Animation Studio of Wilmington, NC at EUE Screen Gems Studios. He was a highly talented and award-winning 3-D animation and visual effects artist, designer, producer and director for feature films and television. One of the greatest highlights of his career was when he had the honor of working directly with Mr. George Lucas of Lucasfilm Ltd. and Industrial Light and Magic. His wife recalls his excitement when he said, “George wants me to create the opening scene of this movie that’s the opposite of the opening scenes of Star Wars!” Another great highlight of his career was when he had the opportunity to talk with Mr. John Lasseter, founder of PIXAR Animation Studios and he was given one of the most invaluable pieces of advice of Joey’s career.
He was passionate about science, technology and planetary science. He was a long-standing member of the Planetary Society as well as a member of ACM SIGGRAPH (Association of Computing Machinery-Special Interest Group Computer Graphics.)
In his spare time, he loved working on cars. He was a Pontiac muscle cars enthusiast and enjoyed rebuilding his 1975 Pontiac Trans-Am, 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula and his 2004 Pontiac GTO. He loved going to NHRA/IHRA drag races and NASCAR races. He was a diehard fan of Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Don Garlits and John Force. He was so thrilled when he and his dad were able to complete the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
He enjoyed spending time at the beach, fishing, golfing, billiards and especially “a dominator and master” at all types of video games. He loved listening to music from AC/DC, U2, Van Halen, The Cars, Pink Floyd, UB40, and Bob Marley. His favorite movies were The Matrix, Star Wars, 2001 A Space Odyssey, and Contact. Joey’s love of space began when he was growing up watching the TV series, “Cosmos,” with Carl Sagan. His favorite book authors were Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson. He was a lover of cats, especially his girl, Sassy.
Joey was a loving and devoted husband and father. He had a charming and infectious personality and loved to make people laugh. He was always there to help those in need and lived his life to always do the right thing and to leave this world better than you found it.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Penny Kirkley Jarman of the home; beloved son, whom he was very proud of, Joseph Lee Jarman of Wilmington; father, Linwood Lee Jarman of New Bern, NC; sister, Kathy Jarman (Fiancé Ronnie Loveland) of New Bern, NC; mother-in-law, Cathy S. Kirkley of Hamlet, NC; father-in-law, James I. Kirkley of Hamlet, NC; brother-in-law, Keith Kirkley of Alabama and nieces, Campbell and Carson Kirkley; many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Joey will be tremendously missed by everyone who knew and loved him and by the many lives that he touched.
Services are being planned by the family at a later date.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory in Hamlet is serving the Jarman family.
Online condolences and sharing of memories may be made at www.harringtonfuneralhome.com