Lightning Joe

Lightning Joe was born on February 3, 1943 in Port Huron, Michigan and passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long illness at his residence in Celina, TN on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Lightning grew-up in Port Huron, Michigan. He graduated from Marysville High School Class of 1961. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served from 1961-1966, achieving the rank of Corporal.

He was well known in Port Huron as the owner of Lightning Joe’s Tree Service, taking down some of the biggest and most complicated trees in the area with innovative techniques that wowed spectators.

After decades in the tree business, he retired and moved south. Eventually he settled in Celina, Tennessee where he proceeded to come out of retirement and return to tree work with his stepson, Randy.

Lightning was a hard-working man, a lifelong Marine at heart, and an avid world traveler, having visited over 100 countries. His walls and bookcases are filled with souvenirs from all over the world. Lightning’s home and yard were also adorned with the inventive sculptures that he crafted from objects other people would have considered junk. He used his plasma cutter to transform scrap metal into a menagerie of creatures which populated his property, and carved wood with chainsaws and chisels to showcase his talent.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Levitt and Frances Ripke of Michigan; his brother, Jim Rickett of Michigan; sisters, Lillian Sulack of Texas and Bonnie Davis of Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Joe; his sister Cindy Boone (Buford) of Alabama; his daughter, Dawn Levitt (Jay Skillman) of Detroit, Michigan; stepsons, Randy Crawford of Celina, TN, Kenny Crawford of Michigan, David (Moira) MacKenzie of Vermont, Richard (Karen) MacKenzie of Illinois, and Chris (Mackenzie) MacKenzie of Ohio; step-grandchildren, Jonathon Leikvoll of Illinois, Gavin MacKenzie of Ohio, Linnea Jones of Ohio, Karly MacKenzie of Illinois, Brianna MacKenzie of Vermont, Gabrielle MacKenzie of Ohio, Dylan Mackenzie of Ohio, Nikolas Skillman of Michigan, and Timothy Skillman of Nebraska; as well as a host of friends that will mourn his passing.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until time of the service. Funeral Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Clay County Funeral Home with Bro. Kenny Westmoreland officiating.

Clay County Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. (931)-243-5050