HATTIESBURG — Joseph A. Yore, beloved husband and father, died Sept. 21, 2012, of complications from cardiac arrest. He was 81.

Mr. Yore lived in Hattiesburg for 15 years, first on Bay Street in the Downtown Historic District and then at Provision Living.

During a distinguished 30-year career in the Army Corps of Engineers, Mr. Yore served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany and more than a dozen other countries, rising to the rank of colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism for his service in Vietnam, the Cross of Gallantry, Legion of Merit and numerous other medals. He ended his military career as deputy division engineer for the Lower Mississippi River Division, based in Vicksburg. Mr. Yore was then an executive at the Walk, Haydel & Associates engineering firm in New Orleans for 10 years, before retiring with his wife, Cora-Ann, to Hattiesburg to be near their son, Michael, and his wife, the former Rose Marie Watkins.

In Hattiesburg, Mr. Yore was active in the AARP, where he served as vice president and state delegate, the Osher Life-long Learning Institute (OLLI) at USM, the Lions Club and many other civic organizations. He was the first person in Mississippi to receive the AARP’s Andrus Award for outstanding contributions to the community.

Mr. Yore also received the Ageless Heroes award in 2006. He and his wife were members of St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Mr. Yore graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in architecture and earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He was born and raised in the southern New Jersey farming town of Vineland and graduated from Sacred Heart High School.

Mr. Yore is survived by his wife of 56 years, Cora-Ann; and three sons, Michael and his wife, Rose Marie, of Hattiesburg, Everett and his wife, Sharon, of Arlington, Va., and JJ and his wife, Mary Beth, of Los Angeles. He had three grandsons, Will, Nick and Luke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Catheryn Yore; and a brother, Louis Yore.

Visitation will be at Moore Funeral Service in Hattiesburg on Saturday from 9:30-11:30 a.m., with services immediately following. Burial with military honor guard will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Highland Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Catholic Social Services c/o St. Thomas Catholic Church, 3117 W. 4th St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401. A guestbook may be signed at www.moorefuneralservices.com.