Joseph John DeJoie III

Joseph John DeJoie III, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021, at the age of 94.

Joseph was born March 17, 1927 in New Orleans, LA. to Joseph John DeJoie, Jr. and Thelma Norris DeJoie.  After the early death of his father, Joe moved with his mother to St. Louis, MO, where he spent his school-age years.

During High School, Joe had many adventures with his 3 best friends, Hutch, Chuck and Dan. On June 6, 1944, he graduated from Sumner High School at the age of 17.

Soon after graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was in the last class of flight cadets for WWII. At the completion of WWII, he reenlisted in the Air Force Reserve. He was deployed to Korea, where he flew P-51 fighters. Upon returning home, he was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Control Specialist, first at the Spokane, WA Center and then at the Auburn, WA Center.

He resigned from the FAA after 13 years as an Air Traffic Controller to organize, implement, and write the curriculum for the new Aviation Department at Green River Community College. The program was so successful that the FAA closed their Air Traffic Control Training Center and sent all their students to Green River for Training. In 1981, at the time of the Air Traffic Controller Strike, the FAA asked Joe to return as an Instructor, Quality Control Specialist, and Military Airspace Specialist.

In his professional life, Joe was known for his outstanding technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. He was chosen many times to host dignitaries and give them tours of the FAA Center. On one occasion, he was selected to conduct a sensitive tour with Generals of Aviation from various Middle Eastern Countries. He handled their extensive questioning with complete poise, presenting an outstanding image of the Federal Aviation Administration.

He was recognized many times for the planning and execution of Strategic Air Command Readiness Exercises. His efforts contributed directly to the perfect safety record and successful completion of each series of exercises

Joe was dedicated to Aviation Education. He spoke at many school career days, conducted seminars, taught Fear of Flying clinics and was a popular speaker for service organizations. He received a commendation from the FAA for his continued commitment to excellence in Aviation Education. During only one year he exposed over 32,000 people to the importance of aviation in their communities in the Northwest Region.

Joe believed strongly in giving service wherever he was needed. He was active in all the Pilot’s Associations in the Northwest Region and was a popular speaker at their meetings. Being an expert in Aviation History, he assisted in the creation of the Seattle Museum of Flight. He then volunteered as one of their first docents.

Joe had a love for flying and aviation as a young child. He would ride his bicycle to the nearest airport to watch the planes for hours. He learned to fly long before he learned to drive, He owned his own airplane, a Piper Cherokee, for many years. He loved to take his friends for plane rides. He especially loved taking his wife for “$100.00 hamburgers” at various airports. As a project for the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight, He took 100 children for their first airplane ride. He was a member of the Planning Committee for the Auburn Municipal Airport and he was the first pilot to land a plane there.

Next to flying, Joe loved teaching, first at Green River College, and then at Northwest Aviation College. It gave him great joy and satisfaction seeing his students establish successful careers in the Field of Aviation.

Joe was an artist when it came to building model aircraft. He built many very detailed models. Most of the models were Military aircraft that he had flown during his time in the Air Force.

Anyone who knew Joe, knew that he loved Ford Mustangs – Red Ford Mustangs to be exact. He owned 8 of them. He loved looking at his extensive car collection and adding to it whenever he could.

Joe was talented at counted cross-stitch. He completed many large projects, mostly of military aircraft, and won several awards at the Evergreen State Fair.

Joe really enjoyed dining. He loved great food, but mostly he enjoyed making new friends with the servers.

Joe loved music. His favorite was Jazz, probably part of his New Orleans roots, but he also really loved listening to the broadcasts of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

After a 28-year courtship, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Carmen Tobler on May 20, 2017. It was a very joyful day!

Joe was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on January 18, 2020. Then on January 23, 2021, He and Carmen were sealed for Time and Eternity in the Seattle LDS Temple. This brought him great peace and happiness.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Carmen Tobler DeJoie, Children, Joseph DeJoie IV, Patricia DeJoie Ragland, Randy Siebers, Cherie DeJoie Stedman, Judy DeJoie Kidd, James DeJoie and Grandchildren, Casey Stedman, Andy Stedman, Elizabeth Stedman Elder, Jill Stedman Johnson, and David Stedman.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 11:30 am -12:30 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville.

Graveside services will begin at 1:00 pm at EastLawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, 4800 North EastLawn Drive (650 East), Provo, UT 84604.

Condolences for family may be left on this page.

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