Joseph Ronald DeWald - May 23, 1936 – June 14, 2026
Joseph Ronald DeWald
May 23, 1936 – June 14, 2026
Joseph Ronald “Joe” DeWald was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and raised in Sarasota, Florida.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Annette Morris; father, Joe DeWald; brother, Harry John “Sonny” DeWald; and grandson, Ruben Rubalcava.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara DeWald; son, Joseph Scott DeWald (Thi DeWald); daughters, Theresa DeWald Rubalcava, Linda DeWald (Mary Sullivan), and Laura DeWald (Dianne Boulay); nephews, Don Blanche, Mike Blanche, and Tony Blanche; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A lifelong servant to his community and country, Joe began his military service at age sixteen when he joined the National Guard. A year later, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, where he served four years, including duty in Cape May, New Jersey. Following his Coast Guard service, he continued serving in the National Guard for an additional five years, completing a decade of military service.
While stationed in Cape May, Joe met the love of his life, Barbara. After a whirlwind six-month courtship, they eloped, beginning a partnership that would span nearly seventy years.
After their first wedding anniversary, Joe and Barbara moved to Sarasota, where they started their family and Joe began a 35-year career with General Telephone Company. In 1972, Joe was promoted and relocated to Clearwater, Florida.
In Clearwater, Joe and Barbara discovered a shared passion for boating and scuba diving. Through their adventures on the water, they formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. Many weekends were spent diving, spearfishing, and lobstering in local waters or chartering boats with friends for trips to the Bahamas.
After many years of boating, Joe and Barbara embraced a new adventure: trailer camping. What began with a camper eventually grew into life on the road in an RV. They sold their home and spent approximately sixteen years as full-time RVers, enjoying the freedom to explore while spending much of their time in the Florida Keys and Cape Cod.
At age 80, Joe and Barbara decided to settle down and built a home in Harrison, Arkansas, where they created a new chapter of life in a close-knit community.
Joe was a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than sixty years and, in recent years, joined the American Legion, where he was affectionately known as “Mr. Popcorn.” He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Harrison, Arkansas.
Throughout his life, Joe embraced adventure—whether on the water, on the road, or through service to others. What mattered most to him, however, was sharing those experiences with Barbara, family, and friends.
Joe never met a stranger. Whether sharing a story, offering a helping hand, or making someone laugh, he had a remarkable gift for making people feel special because, to him, they truly were.
Service to others remained a constant throughout Joe’s life, from his military service and community involvement to the countless acts of kindness he extended to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike.
Joe will be deeply missed by his family and by all who had the good fortune to call him a friend.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Christian Church/First Presbyterian Church located at 915 South Maple Street, Harrison, Arkansas. Another service is planned for the inurnment of the ashes at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. At this time, the date and time has not been determined.