Joseph T. Nall

1942 ~ 1989

Joe and Pat Hartness first met while attending Furman University in
Greenville, S. C. Both realized they shared a common interest in
aviation, especially their radio control modeling hobby.

After completing his studies at Furman, Joe attended the Southeastern
Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N. C.
Realizing his goal of entering the ministry, he and his family settled
in Smithfield, N. C., where he became Associate Pastor of the First
Baptist Church. Upon his ordination, Joe received his pastorate in
Halifax, VA. Always seeking to expand his horizon in ways to help
his fellowman, Joe later studied at Wake Forest University of Law.
Upon earning his law degree, he returned to Smithfield to establish
his law practice.

Pat and Joe had maintained their friendship throughout these years
and continued to share their love of aviation. Joe became a qualified instrument rated pilot and a Certified Ground School Instructor,
teaching student pilots at the Johnston County Airport near Smithfield.

In 1986, with the help of his friend U.S. Representative from North
Carolina, Martin Lancaster, along with U.S. Senator from North
Carolina, Jesse Helms and Pat Hartness, Joe received an appointment
by President Ronald Reagan as a Board Member of the National
Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C. Joe Nall died in an
aircraft accident while on official business in Caracas, Venezuela in 1989.

During the years from 1982 until his death in 1989, Joe served as
Master of Ceremonies of the Giant Scale Fly In held at Hartness
Field ~ always using his aviation and modeling experience as well
as his sense of humor to entertain the audience.

After Joe's death, Pat honored his good friend's memory by renaming the event THE JOE NALL FLY-IN.