Joseph Henry Stormer, devoted to family, community

Joseph Henry Stormer, 80, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. He was born July 29, 1944, in Germantown, Pa., to Frances Rose Stormer and Benjamin Voice Stormer, the second of four children. While Joe would go on to lead an exceptional life as a father, husband, community leader, and civil servant, he did so by overcoming a hard childhood. He and his siblings grew up in a rural area, in a house with no running water, no indoor toilet, no insulation, no phone, and a wood stove, and Joe shared a bed with his brothers.

To find work, one, sometimes both, of his parents would be gone for weeks or months at a time. The staples of their diet were government cheese, dehydrated milk, eggs, and potatoes provided by the county. Warmth was provided by a wood stove in the one downstairs kitchen/living room. They got their water from a hand-dug well next to the house. Physical violence was ever-present, and visits from Social Services were not uncommon.

Joe's elementary education was in a one-room school over a mile from home, with no bus service. The teacher was a local farmer whose training was a two-year course then called the Common School. The school was considered better than others in the area in that it had both boys' and girls' outhouses. The student body consisted of 30 children in first through eighth grades. Drinking water was obtained from a local farmer, and warmth came from a pot-belly stove in the center of the room.

There was no high school nearby. Joe hiked the same mile as in grade school, this time to the bus that drove him to the high school almost 20 miles away. However, once there, Joe's intellect and determination took hold. He was an honor student and became president of the student council, winning a write-in campaign. He graduated in 1962 and went on to what is now SUNY, Albany, one of only two students from his high school class of 42 to attend college. He graduated college in 1966 and immediately went on to obtain a master's in public administration in 1967. Shortly after graduation, he was drafted into the Army, and completed his active duty in 1969, receiving an honorable discharge in 1973. Later, while working and raising a family, he earned a juris doctor degree from George Mason School of Law, where he was on the law review and graduated at the top of his class. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1980 and later to the New Jersey Bar.

Joe and his wife Judi first met while working at Fort Monmouth, N.J., in 1982. They met again in 1989 and enjoyed a loving courtship for several years before marrying in 2003. He loved her deeply, and their commitment to each other was unwavering. Their relationship was filled with love, joy, and support until his passing.

Joe worked for the U.S. Department of Defense for almost the entirety of his career, with his last two decades spent at the Pentagon, where he worked for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He loved his work and was known as both hard-working and brilliant. Joe narrowly missed the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, as he had left the building after an early morning meeting. He became a casualty officer for one of the families who lost a loved one, providing them with all the assistance they required.

Upon retirement, Joe began teaching undergraduate and graduate Business Law at American Military University. Throughout his adult life, Joe’s intellect and curiosity led to a variety of hobbies and outdoor activities. He was an avid fisherman, loved sailing, and was a member of the U.S. Power Squadron. He navigated much of the Chesapeake, Intracoastal Waterway, and sailed in the Caribbean. He enjoyed hiking, golfing, camping, and seeking beauty in the Shenandoah Valley, with his favorite hike being Old Rag. He also traveled to the Amazon, the Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and much of Europe. His favorite music was bluegrass, and although he was tone-deaf, he studied to be a banjo player.

Though Joe had a very successful work career, the core of his life was his commitment to his family and community. He raised his three children for many years as a single parent while balancing his demanding career. He believed that his children were the pinnacle of his life’s achievements. When asked about his most important life achievement, he would always say it was his children and their successes in life.

After retiring, Joe and Judi moved to Lewes, where Joe became an activist in its most essential form—community support. His first volunteer experience was with the Overfalls Foundation. After a few years, he was elected and served a term as vice president. Returning to an interest from his youth, he became involved in ham radio. He joined the Sussex Amateur Radio Society in 2006 and became president in 2007. He made contact with the International Space Station, and as part of the ARRL ARES, he served as a team leader at Beebe Hospital’s amateur radio operator's room. Joe became an accredited volunteer examiner and administered amateur radio operator license exams.

For many years, Joe worked with the Lewes Hazard Mitigation Committee. He was a member of Democratic Representative District 20, served two terms as chair, and then as a member of the executive committee. For his work, Gov. John Carney appointed him to the Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Feb. 3, 2020, where he served until his illness in 2024. He was the chair of the Highland Acres Tax Ditch for 15 years. Joe was also very active in park watch for over 10 years and, as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, teaching numerous boat safety courses. The list of his contributions to the community could go on, but it is clear that Joe never saw a community issue that wasn’t worth his time and commitment.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Benjamin, who died in 1980. He is survived by his wife, Judi; their children, Lori Giblin (Frank), Joshua Croes (Nicole), Joe T. Stormer (Kathy), Tom Stormer and Stacie Becker (Stephen); and his grandchildren, Benjamin, Analeigh, Kyle, Hailey, Sean and Amelia. He is also survived by his brother, Dan (Jan); sister-in-law, Mary Stormer; and his nephews, Ben (Sanya), David, Stephen, Jesse and Jake (Debra).

A Celebration of Joe's Life will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, at Virden Retreat Center, 1155 College Drive, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, Joe would love to be remembered through a voluntary donation to Shenandoah National Park Trust, snptrust.org.

Visit Joe's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.