TRINITY, N.C. — Opening BBQ Joe's was owner Joe Housand's dream he ran alongside his son, Joe Housand III.
"He wasn't worried about a dollar, he was worried about making sure people were happy," said Housand.
Just like their names, running the popular BBQ restaurant is now being passed down.
Over the weekend, Joe Junior lost his battle with ALS.
"It attacked him internally like his lungs, it really took a number on him," said Housand.
The Housand family said they plan to carry Joe's quality food and caring service into the new year in the area where they go back generations.
"We're from Trinity, Trinity Bulldogs down the road, and Archdale and this area," Housand explained.
The BBQ spot sits off of Highway 62, right across the street from where Joe Junior's brother Paul said the idea was born.
"He said ya'll could open a restaurant in that cornfield over there which this restaurant is in that cornfield now," said Housand.
Family members vow to continue his dream with the same recipe that they say has brought people together for years.
"We know his passion for making people happy, and for making bellies happy, and that is one of the things that we know we're going to continue to do," said Housand.
Joe Housand Jr. died at the age of 61. His visitation is Tuesday, and his celebration of life will be Wednesday.