Joseph Thomas Vocks, Sr.

Colonel Joseph Thomas Vocks, Sr. known to most as “Joe” passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the age of 80. He went home to his Savior after courageously battling triple hit lymphoma for over two years. Joe was born on September 18, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri. He graduated from St. Louis University where he was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1967. He met Clista Ann Smith of Marietta, Georgia on a blind date, and they were married one week after he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Joe had a long and distinguished military career for over 28 years as a Medical Service Corps officer. His military career was a source of pride and joy. He was one of the “Dirty Thirty” in 1973 who made Air Force history recruiting doctors and other health professionals as volunteers versus draftees. His favorite assignment was Commander of the 57th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where their mission was transporting patients from medical facilities all over the United States to the major military medical centers for specialty care. Prior to his retirement, he was the Director, Medical Service Officer Management, and responsible for the assignments of all medical officers to include physicians, nurses, dentists, and other medical personnel throughout the US Air Force.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1995, he worked for Spectrum Healthcare Resources for ten years and retired in 2005. Over the years he served as Chairman of the Board for the American Academy of Medical Administrators, and he held various officer positions in the Medical Service Corps Association.

Joe was a faithful Catholic Christian. As a 4th degree Knight with Council #8521 at St. Joseph-Honey Creek, he served as Financial Secretary for 14 years. He played a big part in planning the annual Knights of Columbus golf tournaments for benefactors in the Texas Hill Country community. Volunteering at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak for over 10 years as a Lay Eucharistic Minister gave Joe purpose and fulfillment.

Joe loved to travel, play golf, grow a garden, play games, and give back by volunteering in his community and church. He was fun-loving, a devoted husband, cherished dad, loving grampa, beloved brother-in-law, admired uncle, and a good friend to all who knew him.

Colonel Vocks is survived by Clista Smith Vocks his loving and devoted wife of over 58 years; sons Joseph Vocks, II (Darla); Daniel Vocks (Stephanie); grandchildren Grant Vocks, Logan Vocks, Rebecka Vocks; Emma Vocks; sisters-in-law Margie Dobson and Beverly Gandy; many extended family members; and numerous dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Herman Vocks, Jr. and Ruth Thomas Vocks and infant sister Ruth Ann who died at birth.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Bone Marrow Transplant Inpatient Unit and Clinic at Brooke Army Medical Center along with Hope Hospice for their support and compassionate care.

Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church-Honey Creek, 25781 State Hwy 46 W, Spring Branch, TX 78070 on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, with a Rosary and Celebration of Life to begin at 7:00 pm.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph-Honey Creek on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 10:00 am.

The interment with Full Air Force Honors will take place at Fort Sam National Cemetery on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 9:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, c/o St. Joseph-Honey Creek, 25781 State Hwy 46 W, Spring Branch, TX 78070.

Revelation 21:4 “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the former things have passed away.”