Joseph M. Ungeheier
Joseph Mathias Ungeheier, beloved son, father, husband, grandson, brother, uncle and dear friend, joined his Holy Father on August 21, 2017. He is survived and will be forever missed by his beloved wife Erin Armstrong Ungeheier; daughter Elsie; parents Cindy and Marcus Ungeheier; brother Sam Ungeheier; sister-in-law Marla Ungeheier; nephews Isaac and Micah, and nieces Abby and Sophia; brother Matt Ungeheier, sisterin-law Emma Ungeheier; niece Lilly and nephew Liam; grandmothers Sally Ungeheier and Evelyn Lowe; the entire Armstrong family, and more loving family members and friends than could be named.
Joe made friends wherever he went, with his contagious laugh and love for a good time. Joe loved his friends like his family, and his loving and adventurous spirit was evident to all. Just as he approached everything in life, Joe valiantly and courageously fought cancer, eventually wrestling it to a tie.
Joe graduated from Elsinore High School in 1999, where his natural athleticism and competitive spirit drove him to football, baseball, and wrestling. Growing up in Southern California, he loved the water, especially surfing. After graduation, Joe joined the Coast Guard and served honorably and with distinction for five years as an advanced helicopter rescue swimmer in Kodiak, Alaska. His bravery, valor, and honor earned him the Transportation 9-11 Ribbon, the CG Good Conduct Medal, the CG Sea Service Ribbon, and the Admiral Chester R. Bender Award for Heroism. Upon completing his service, Joe remained in Kodiak and worked for two years as a commercial fisherman. In 2010, Joe graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Kinesiology from California Baptist University. He moved to Dallas, Texas where he worked as an environmental engineer, met Erin, got married, and welcomed their beautiful daughter Elsie Mae into their world.
Joe’s love for his wife and daughter was profound. Although his laughter and his love for life will be forever missed by the people that were fortunate to know him, he lives on through the legacy of his daughter, and through the countless memories of surfing, fishing, hunting, playing pool, imbibing, adventures and good times that will be cherished by all who knew him. While his time on earth was short, the impact he had on all of those around him was deep and everlasting.
Donations in Joe’s name may be sent to the UT Medical Center Kidney Cancer Research Fund at donate. utsouthwestern.edu. The Tee Off Fore Kidney Cancer Golf Tournament will be played in Joe’s memory on November 17, 2017 at the Cowboys Golf Club, 1600 Fairway Drive, Grapevine, TX, the proceeds of which will go to benefit the UT Medical Center Kidney Cancer Research Fund.