Joe Clem

Joe was born on October 23, 1934, in Star, Texas, to Elizabeth Stasney Clem and Trammel Petice Clem. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Lawrence Clem.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, June Street Clem; his sons, John W. Boyd and his wife, Beth, of Auburn, Washington; David P. Clem and his wife, Amy, of Wilmington, North Carolina; Daniel L. Clem and his wife, Ann, of Wake Forest, North Carolina; and Joel S. Clem and his wife, Jennifer, of Wilmington, North Carolina. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Jason Boyd of Gold Canyon, Az. and Justin Boyd of Puyallup, Wa., and Joseph, Leah, Parker, Emily, Ian, and Joshua of North Carolina.

Joe and June were blessed with a loving and close-knit family. Together they treasured their faith, their family, and time spent in the mountains. The Clem family fondly remembers the years spent in Oakton, Virginia, where Joe’s weekends often included fishing, hunting, trail bikes, auto repairs, and frequent gatherings with cherished neighbors and lifelong friends. Those years were also filled with school activities, sports, and countless family memories.

Joe graduated from high school in Aransas Pass, Texas, and later earned graduate degrees from Texas A&M University–Kingsville and American University in Washington, D.C. He enjoyed a distinguished 45-year career as a fisheries scientist with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the North Carolina Fisheries Commission, where he worked to improve the management and conservation of fisheries resources.

His work took him throughout the United States and around the world. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year assignment with the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, where he assisted developing nations in improving the conservation and utilization of their fisheries resources.

Joe and June maintained a lifelong commitment to the Episcopal Church, particularly St. Andrew’s on the Sound in Wilmington. Their faith remained an important foundation throughout their lives.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Liberty HomeCare and Hospice, as well as Dale Fowler, CNA, with Hallmark Homecare, for their compassionate care and support.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be planned at a future date.