Joseph Ronald Varner, Jr.

August 27, 1960 – July 1, 2023

Joseph “Joey” Ronald Varner, Jr was born in Miami, FL, August 27, 1960. After a long battle with his health, Joey went home to be with his Savior on July 1, 2023. He spent most of his life in Florida and moved to North Carolina in 2016. Joey’s passion was being on the water and the outdoors. Whether fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, shrimping and lobstering in Biscayne Bay, or frogging in the Florida Everglades, he raised his only son, Jesse, to be an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. This is where they spent their most memorable days. One story that Jesse would like to share is from when he was in 7^th grade and got sent to the principal’s office. The principal had to make that call every kid dreads – the phone call to your parents. The principal was greeted by an answering machine message, which stated, “I’m not home right now…I could be out catching a fish or killing a deer…or at the bar drinking a beer…I could be at Jai-alai or at the dogs…or I could be in the glades gigging some frogs. So leave your name, number and time…or if you would like, leave me a rhyme.” The principle just looked at Jesse and said, “Get back to class.” This story pretty much describes Joey’s sense of humor. He had a seemingly endless supply of quick wit, and could sit around for hours telling jokes. Joey will be remembered as a man’s man, and a friend’s friend.

Joey is a beloved father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandkids, and he got to spend a lot of time with them over the last few years. Joey is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia, his sister Lori, and his nephew, Joshua. He is survived by his father, Ronnie, his sister, Lisa Roberts, his son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Kerry, and his grandchildren, Caroline and Finn. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews Annie Varner, Molboro “Cece” Roberts, Mallory Roberts, Joyce Marie Cohen, and Dennis Davenport.

A Public Memorial Gathering  will be held Wednesday, July 19, 2023 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N University Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 with a Tributes of a Lifetime Memorial Service at 2:00 pm.

  A reception will be held from 3:30 – 5:30 PM at Tropical Acres Steakhouse, 2500 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.

In remembrance of Joey’s life, the family asks that any memorial donations be made to the Atrium Health Transplant Fund using the link below, and choosing “Atrium Health Transplant Fund” in the drop-down box.

Atrium Health Transplant Fund

The Atrium Health Transplant Fund helps patients with expenses related to transplantation, such as post-transplant medication needs, travel, and lodging expenses associated with their care. The Fund also supports all adult, solid-organ transplant recipient programs at Atrium Medical Center (kidney, pancreatic, liver and heart transplants).