Joseph "Joe" Bernard Dent, Jr.

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Bernard Dent, Jr., 88, of Advance, NC, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at his home surrounded by his family and loved ones. Joe was born on November 2, 1937 in Columbia, SC to the late Joseph Bernard Dent and Margaret Reaves Dent. He graduated from the University of South Carolina’s ROTC program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at the University of South Carolina, he played on the Men’s Collegiate Golf Team and was an avid supporter of the South Carolina Gamecocks and a golfer throughout his life. Following his graduation from South Carolina, Joe served as an officer on a destroyer in the U.S. Navy and retired as Captain in the Naval Reserve. He spent his career working for PPG Industries and directed engineering and construction activities worldwide, including both domestic and global expansion projects. Joe traveled extensively overseas and retired as Chief Engineer of PPG’s Fiber Glass Products Division after 35 years of service. Following his retirement, Joe became a gifted wood craftsman and created furniture by hand, filling his home and the homes of family, friends, and neighbors with his artistry. Although always technically oriented in his work and craft, and with a steadfast focus on excellence, Joe also pursued continual personal improvement in his life and faith and sought to foster the best in others through intentionality and a genuine interest in personal connection. Throughout the seasons of his life, Joe’s most profound and lasting legacy is the one he built as the patriarch of a large, blended family, where he was not only a loving and devoted husband, but also the family’s greatest teacher, mentor, and storyteller. With unwavering commitment, he ensured every family member received guidance and support, and most importantly, the attention and love of a father and grandfather. To those who were fortunate to know him, Joe taught much, lived every day with purpose, and loved well.

Joe is survived by his wife of 31 years, Paula Maydian Dent; six children, Joseph “Jody” Dent, III of Anderson, SC, Scott Hix and wife Andrea of Lexington, NC, Alicia “Ali” Dent Wright and husband Robert of Amelia Island, FL, Kristen Robeson of Belmont, NC, John D. Robeson of East Bend, NC, and Michael Robeson of Belmont, NC; nine grandchildren, Molly Meadows (Austin), Jacob Hix, Finley Ehrman, Jackson Harrington, Scarlett Harrington, Alexander Harrington, Max Robeson, Carlee Barfield, and Ariana Lane; three great grandchildren; and his sister, Julia Dent Markley and niece, Holley Markley of Columbia, SC. He is preceded in death by his nephew, Arnold A. Markley, IV.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel, 108 E. Kinderton Way, Advance, NC 27006. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Trellis Supportive Care of North Carolina.