Joseph “Joe” Champlin, 61, passed away on Friday evening, December 12, 2025. Joe was born on June 14, 1964, in Long Beach, California. He was raised primarily in Connecticut, where he developed early interests in hockey, baseball, and football until he was 14 then moved with his family to Texas. He graduated from Plano High School in 1982. On March 23, 1985, Joe married Linda Holton in Dallas, Texas. enlisted in the U.S.Navy in 1987, where he went on to attend Naval Aviation technical schools, beginning what would become a lifelong commitment to service. Joe proudly served in the United States Navy for 21 years, retiring in 2007 as a Chief Petty Officer.

During his naval career, Joe served with distinction across multiple aviation platforms and squadrons. He worked extensively with the F-14 Tomcat for approximately 18 years, until the aircraft was retired in 2006, after which he briefly serviced the F/A-18 Hornet before transferring to the test program for the JSF F-35 at VX-23 I, contributing to aircraft testing and ultimately to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program.

Joe’s career included service with numerous squadrons and units, including VF-2, VF-211, VF-124, VF-213, VFA , VX-23, and AIMD, and assignments aboard aircraft carriers. His service spanned critical periods of modern military history, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism.

Over the course of his career, Joe received many military honors and commendations, including Navy Unit Commendations, five Navy Achievement Medals, Battle “E” Awards, Gulf War awards, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Star, and additional service and campaign medals reflecting his dedication and professionalism. He was a Golden Shellback- a specific honor for crossing the international dateline that involved an initiation that only a Navy person could truly appreciate. He was also the author of an editorial “Uncle Joe’s Sunday Paper”. His call sign was “Tomcat Champ”.

Joe was also a 9/11 survivor. He was injured following the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, while working on an F-14 Tomcat in preparation for war. The injuries he sustained that day resulted in service-connected disabilities that would affect his health for the remainder of his life.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Joe continued working on the F-35 before later transitioning to a career with BNSF Railway. He ultimately retired due to medical disability related to his service.

Despite ongoing health challenges, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and later dementia, Joe remained resilient and determined. Though he was eventually classified as 100% disabled, he retained long-term memory and functional abilities for many years beyond his initial diagnosis, continuing to engage meaningfully with family and the world around him.

Joe was deeply involved in sports throughout his life, not only as a participant but as a mentor and official. He served as a softball umpire from Little League through university teams and women’s fast-pitch leagues, and as a football referee from grade school through high school programs. He got his love of baseball from his Grampa, going to Red Sox games with him as a child. He also enjoyed model trains, both as a collector and enthusiast, a hobby that brought him quiet satisfaction and joy.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Champlin and Joanne Duda Champlin.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Champlin; they were married 41 years. Together, they built a life grounded in family, service, and perseverance. His family includes his daughter, Rachel; his sons, Erik and Shawn; and his grandchildren, Joshua, Harper, and Chelsea. He is also survived by his brother, Pat, and sisters, Pam and Jayne, along with nieces Andrea, Amy, Alyssa, and Aubrey, and extended family members including his senior aunts and uncles Pauline, Donna, & Stewart, who remain in the family historical birthplace of upstate New York. He was proud of his history and that there were Champlins dating back to the revolution. He was also proud of and very close to his mother’s family who were 2nd generation Polish Americans and he was very close with his wife’s family especially the Packers- he shared a strong Navy camaraderie with his recently deceased brother-in-law Jerry who he mourned deeply.

Among Joe’s greatest wishes was to walk his daughter Rachel down the aisle. Despite his declining health, that wish was fulfilled. He was able to walk her down the aisle, and he passed away one week after her wedding, a profound and touching moment his family will always hold close.

Following cremation, Joe’s urn will be entrusted to a United States Navy liaison and transported to Norfolk, Virginia, where it will be taken to a designated port of call for ceremonial burial at sea.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery at Mountain Creek Lake, on Friday, September 25, at 3:15pm. Family, friends, and fellow veterans are invited to attend, followed by a brief Thank You for attending gathering at the Veterans Park Event Center near the cemetery at at 925 Conover Dr., Grand Prairie, TX 75051. There will be a Celebration of Life event held that evening at the Packer family home at 2311 Dowell Rd, Rockwall, TX 75032. Contact Linda Champlin for directions and details. It’s Potluck, feel free to bring whatever you like or just yourself. Joe didn’t want sorrow so please bring smiles! All are welcome!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Joe’s honor to organizations that support veterans such as Wounded Warriors and those who work tirelessly on their behalf.

Fair winds, following seas, and full burners ahead. Quoting his comrades:

“Rest easy Chief, we have the watch!”