By Managing Editor Noah Worton
ColumbiaA brilliant, red, and strong insignia gleamed among the suits and dresses as friends and family walked through the doors of the First Baptist Church of Columbiana. The Birmingham Bulls insignia, which honors Joseph Stroud’s life and legacy, was emblazoned on the collared shirts of many attendees.
Joseph, who was 53 when he died away on Wednesday, June 11, had a significant influence on his friends, family, church, and sports in the greater Birmingham area. Stroud was visited and given a burial ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana on Monday, June 16. He was buried at the Columbiana City Cemetery after services.
Dr. Michael Miller, senior pastor at FBC Columbiana, stated, “We are here today to celebrate Mr. Joseph Stroud’s homecoming and to grieve his loss.” Joe will be known as a happy person who cherished his friendships, family, and his role as Birmingham Bulls president. He liked life, and he loved to laugh. He was an extroverted individual. He treated everyone with deference.
Miller shared that he will personally remember Joseph’s smile, calm manner, and ability to pull people in because he knew him personally via his job as a deacon at the church.
According to Miller, he always looked for the positive side of things and sought to find the humor in every scenario. He was always there for his family and was a devoted and caring father and husband. He declared that he sincerely believed in Christ.
Miller also related a personal story about a funny thing Stroud used to say when he was younger.
As many of you are aware, when Joe was a young boy in the 1970s, his father served as the pastor of his church. He would often tell people that his father was the church’s owner, Miller added.
Speaking at the funeral, David Stroud, one of Joseph’s closest friends, recalled his first cousin as a passionate man who was devoted to his family.
David stated, “I believe that Joe’s life was based on four very important pillars: his career, friendships, family, and Christianity.” Joe’s love for his family was the foundation of everything he did.
Family-centered
Joseph married Shelley, the love of his life, on August 10, 1996. They had multiple children, including Molly Worcester, Will Stroud, and John Stroud.
David stated Shelley was his rock. Shelley was grounded by his love for Joe, and his ultimate purpose was their happiness. Joe loved Shelley because it was who he was, not just something he did.
David claims that Joseph’s affection for his family was shown in his bond with his mother, Betty.
David claimed that he adored his mother. A mama’s boy, he was. His life was built on a foundation of honesty, diligence, humility, and compassion by her and Uncle Charles.
Joseph showed the same love to his in-laws and other relatives as well.
David stated that he was aware of how extremely fortunate he was to be surrounded by the Davis family.
Additionally, Joseph was devoted to his children and consistently supported their academic and professional endeavors. But Joseph’s devotion for others was not dependent on familial ties. He adored a long list of pals with whom he had many laughs.
Joe valued friendships highly, according to Davis. He had enough of them. He was aware that one of life’s greatest blessings is genuine friendship. Joe looked for close relationships and trust-based friendships.
The Bulls’ heart
Joseph, a native of Columbia, first attended the University of Alabama after graduating from Shelby County High School in 1990. In order to obtain a business and marketing degree, Joseph transferred to Samford University. Joseph fell in love with the Birmingham Bulls, his second passion, after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree.
His tenure with the Bulls began when they were an ECHL team playing at Legacy Arena in downtown Birmingham. In 1994, Stroud began working for the Bulls as an intern before moving up the ranks. He became the president of the Bulls in 2019 and had a crucial role in the hockey team’s successful recovery following their 2017 comeback.
With success both on and off the ice, the Bulls under his direction solidified their position as a mainstay in the city of Pelham at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Birmingham qualified for the playoffs four times in seven attempts, including the previous three seasons, and made it to the SPHL President’s Cup Finals twice in the 2018–19 and 2022–23 seasons.
Bulls broadcaster Jody Cherneski went up to the microphone during Joseph’s funeral and addressed the family members and friends present. Cherneski gripped both sides of the podium, looking at the audience, and in the moment, he was unable to come up with a concise way to express the worth of his friend and coworker in a few brief moments.
How am I supposed to come up here and say anything about Joe Stroud’s character? Cherneski uttered. How can I begin it (and) where can I conclude it in an hour? I began to wonder. It is not possible.
Cherneski believed that the memories created during their time together and Joseph’s contacts with others were what gave his legacy its strength.
Cherneski recalled meeting Joe Stroud when he initially joined the Bulls. He entered my office during the first three days and asked, “May I ask you a question?” Yes. Are you insane, he asked?
Years have passed since that first meeting, but the two men have many unforgettable recollections of one another, and Cherneski views Joseph as her best friend.
Cherneski remarked, “He’s laughing somewhere right now.” The first thing I noticed about him was his smile. It was addictive. You wanted to spend more time with him and witness more of it. You rushed to hear his chuckle because it was so captivating.
Cherneski recalled that Joseph loved a good laugh, particularly if he could set you up for one at your expense.
Cherneski claimed that Joe had a talent. He had a knack for getting you moving. He would locate something that would truly enrage you, then prod the bear to extract one so he could begin to chuckle. He was excellent at it.
Cherneski remembered that Joseph once asked him to come into the office to show him a number of ridiculous new Bulls jersey designs in an attempt to gauge his reaction.
Cherneski claimed that he was belly laughing the entire time because he had the most bizarre-looking hockey jerseys you had ever seen in your life, which he knew I detested and would cause a reaction.
Cherneski suggested that Joseph was serious about the friends and peers he purposefully chose and surrounded himself with, despite his love of a happy life.
Cherneski expressed his pride in his pals. The people he surrounded himself with made him proud. He wanted the best people he could find that he could trust and he lived around. He was quite pleased of everything, including what he accomplished.
Cherneski concluded his message by reminding the family that there is an army of men wearing Bulls T-shirts there that morning who are ready at all times to help the family with whatever they need.
You guys are very fortunate to have had Joe in your life your entire lives, Cherneski told the family. I had him for 30 years. I love him and I m really going to miss him but everyone is better off because we rubbed shoulders with Joe Stroud.
