Joe Burchfield of North Knoxville was a husband, father and to everyone that knew “Big Bear”, he was a friend. He was a loyal Republican. Joe passed away on Thursday at Physicians Regional Medical Center. Joe retired from banking and owned and operated Big Bear Vending, CJE Auto Sales. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1989-1992. Burchfield was elected after the untimely death of State Representative Ted Ray Miller, moving that district from the Democrat column to the Republican column.

Our sympathy and prayer to Bear’s wife Jean, son Joe, Jr., grandsons Bradley and Brett and Bear’s brother Gary. The family will receive friends today 2-4 p.m. with a funeral service today at 4 at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel. Interment is at 2 p.m. at Lynnhurst cemetary meeting at the West Adair entrance at 1:45 p.m.