Joseph Henry “Joey” Seremet, known to many as Joe, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, in Plano, Texas. He was 81 years old.
Born on July 4, 1944, in Southbridge, Massachusetts, Joe’s early life was rooted in faith and service. Active in Catholic Youth Organization activities and religious retreats during high school, he carried those values throughout his life.
Joe graduated from the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, in 1966 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army infantry. His distinguished military career included assignments in Thailand, Okinawa attending Airborne school, 1st Special Forces, and Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He received several Vietnam metals, including a Bronze Star Medal, with 1st oak leaf cluster, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm unit citation. Joe later served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, where he met First Lieutenant Nancy ‘Kopp of the U.S. Army nurse corps. They shared 54 years and 8 months of marriage and raised two wonderful sons.
Continuing his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, Joe served as Company Commander with the 94th General Hospital during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Frankfurt, Germany. His last military rank was Major in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. Joe would tell everyone that Nancy outranked him as a Lieutenant Colonel, always with a “little humor and respect.”
After active duty, Joe began a distinguished career with the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and Readjustment Counseling Services program. He began as a social worker at the San Antonio VA medical center and progressed to Deputy Regional Manager for Readjustment Counseling Services Region I. in RI. His last assignment was in Region VII Dallas where he retired in 2004.
Joe earned master’s degrees in counseling from St. Mary’s University and social work from Our Lady of the Lake University, both in San Antonio. He pursued doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin attaining ABD status in social work.
A gifted artist and enthusiastic cook, Joe enjoyed painting, baking bread, trying new recipes, and crafting Pinewood Derby cars for adult racing where he won for speed and design. He loved water and snow skiing and spending summers at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire growing up and Safari Waters Ranch, in East Texas at their lake home. Joe and Nancy loved cruising and took many cruises in retirement.
Joe was a devoted husband and father, a family man with a keen sense of humor and positive, optimistic outlook on life. He was fun to be around. He enjoyed camping, scouting with his boys and attending all their soccer games. Joe was a very proud father when his sons graduated from Texas Tech University.
Joes was a Lifetime Member of The Citadel Alumni Association and member of American Legion Post 321, Plano. He has been a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church since 1987.
Joe is survived by his wife Nancy; son Patrick; sister Celeste (Dan) Weberg; nieces Melissa Campbell, Michelle Blackburn, Erika (Vincente) Vina; nephews Michael (Karen) Loin and Danny Weberg. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Kevin; sister Virginia Loin; and brother-in-law Frank Loin.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on September 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 Springcreek Pkwy. Plano, Tx. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Inurnment with Military Honors will take place at a later date at The Citadel Columbarium in Charleston, South Carolina.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Building Fund, 2701 Piedra Dr. Plano, TX 75023 or The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC 29409.