Joseph Surgent

1942 - 2022

May 13, 1942 - April 10, 2022 Joseph Surgent of Henderson passed away on April 10,2022 after a long battle with old age. Joe was born in Northern New Jersey to Joe and Ina Surgent in 1942. He graduated Clifton High School and went on to Rutgers University. He received a degree in Engineering and a regular Army Commission from Rutgers in 1963 and then went active duty. His first assignment was a Nike Missile Site in Southern California. He served as a infantry advisor during the early years of The Vietnam War. He earned his Combat Infantryman's Badge and proudly wore it above his Parachutist Wings. He left active duty after eight years but continued to serve in The National Guard and Reserves. He retired as a Colonel with 30 years of service. Joe also had a long career in Law Enforcement. He retired from the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department as a Lieutenant, when he was appointed Chief of Police of Sierra Madre California. He served there for four years when he retired again and moved to Henderson in 1998. Joe did a lot of retiring. In Henderson Joe was fortunate to meet Rance Spurlock, owner of Spurlock Gun Shop. Rance got tired of Joe hanging out in his shop and offered him a job. Joe worked for Rance for 11 years, until Rance's untimely death. Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gail and their three children, Chris, Leigh Ann and Scott Surgent, and his two Grand children Emma and Rawlins Surgent. His parents and siblings have passed away. Joe will be interned in Arlington National Cemetery.