On Monday, January 23, 2023, Joe Hakes was called home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His final days were spent at home in Bristow, VA, surrounded by his family after a long illness.

Joe Hakes was North Park's first men's soccer coach in 1981, elevating the club program to a full varsity sport. He also coached women's basketball, men's tennis and was a resident director in Burgh Hall. After North Park, Joe served as the Director of Athletics at Millikin University and Illinois Institute of Technology.

A memorial service will be held on February 19, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Gainesville United Methodist Church in Gainesville, VA.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Joe Hakes Student Leadership Endowed Scholarship at Illinois Institute of Technology, which provides tuition support to undergraduate students who exhibit leadership, participation, and enthusiasm. 

Peace be to the memory of Joe Hakes.