Joe was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended St. Matthews Catholic School and St. Mary's Catholic High School, graduating in 1964.
He served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Machinist's Mate in the Training and Administration of Reserves (TAR) from 1968 to 1973. Upon discharge, he was an ADR3 (petty officer third class or E-4).
He graduated from Arizona State University (ASU) in December 1976. with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering. He moved to California in 1977, where he worked for several companies including Burroughs. Bunker-Ramo. SpectraMed, Micom/Nortel and E-Views Safety systems.
In April 2018, he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor. He fought the cancer valiantly for almost six months, but ultimately came home on hospice on 22 September 2018. He passed peacefully in his sleep on 16 November 2018.
Joe was preceded in death by his father Albert Krigbaum, his mother Ruth Sharkey Krigbaum and his brother. Frank Krigbaum. He is survived by his sisters Mary Krigbaum and Ann Marr, his sister-in-law Susie Krigbaum, his nephews Paul and Tim Krigbaum, nieces Alicia Fredrickson and Julia Cassidy, grandnieces Kylie Krigbaum Reidhead, Emily Shalen, Mellodie, Jaelyne & Emjaye Cassidy, grandnephews Cooper, Brady and Ryder Krigbaum and his fiancée Allison McKowen N6PEP.
Cremains were interred at National Memorial Cemetery, 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona on Friday. 18 January 2019.