Obituary
Dr. Joseph Vincent Missett IV, (J.V.), 50, of New York died on July 8th, 2016, in Santa Monica, California. He was born on October 13, 1965, New York, NY. He was the son of Joseph Missett III and Barbara Thatcher. Joseph is survived by his wife, Carol Missett and their third and second boys. Joseph was proceeded in death by first boy Anthony. He is also survived by his brother Stephen Missett.
Joseph’s mother, Barbara, recently passed away earlier this year at the age of 77.
Joseph graduated from Emory University in 1987 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. After graduating, he worked for the next few years in the oil and gas trading desk at Bear Sterns in New York. Joseph always knew he wanted to be a doctor at a very young age. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, he courageously set out for his true calling at the age of 31 in the field of medicine. He attended the Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine and received his MD in 2004. Joseph specialized in Family Practice, however embarked in Emergency Medicine following the completion of residency. He started in Mesa, Arizona and most recently worked as an Emergency Medical physician in Fort Mohave, Arizona.
In addition to being an “Amazing and Devoted” father, husband and dedicated physician, he also volunteered in the community in Los Angeles and the Phoenix area. Most recently he and his family spent many hours with LA on Cloud 9 (
www.laoncloud9.org) providing assistance to the homeless.
JV was larger than life in so many ways – his physical presence was only then preceded by his amazing charm and disarming personality which would light up any room. He was an amazing man, full of compassion and loved helping people. His professional life indeed was the perfect fit for this “Angelic” human being. No one was immune from his wit and sense of humor. His energy was infectious to all those who had the opportunity to know him, even if it was for the briefest of time. He loved tennis, golf, hockey, visiting with friends but most of all spending time with his boys, his family – there was absolutely no prouder dad.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the community that he served.
Viewing: will be held at 10:00 am on July 18th, 2016
The Family Worship Center
9156 W. Van Buren Street
Tolleson, AZ 85353
Reception: 12:00pm on July 18th, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn
11460 W. Hilton Way
Avondale, AZ 85323
**In Lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Dr. Joseph Missett IV to
www.LAonCloud9.org.**
POEM:
-Joseph V. Missett IV
I wish you could hear me speak these words. Hear the sincerity and sorrow in the cracks of my voice and understand instantaneously what you meant to me. I’m in the city and even though I’ve been here plenty times before, this time is different. Almost as if it’s the first time my sneakers have hit these gum infested pavements or inhaled the sewers toxins. Everything seems to be more beautiful. It seems to be more peaceful. Even through the constant taxi horns, police sirens, and echoing murmurs of the foreign crowds. I feel at peace here in New York City and you’re the reason.
I walk through Washington Park observing the leaves shiver on the tress until I turn onto University, then Waverly, then Broadway. And each time I keep expecting to see you there around the corner in the same red shorts you left me in. And each time I’m disappointed. But not fully, because although you’re not physically there I know deep down in my heart that maybe, just maybe, if God bestowed before me his unique gifts that just for a single second; I’ll see you. So for that small maybe, I’m scavenging the city. I’ll rummage through any construction site. I’ll explore every alleyway. I’ll track every hot dog vendor. I’ll call every taxi. I’ll skate every subway track. I’ll climb every fire escape in this city so long as there’s a chance to see you. I miss you Joseph, and this city reminds me of you.
My origami bones are crinkling and growing weak because this misery is crushing me in its rough hands and molding them into a ball, leaving me in this curled up paralysis. So here I am, wallowing in the memories of you, staring out my sealed dorm room window mapping out my route for the days to come so that I may find you faster. But all I see is drunk clubbers and sun bleached awnings. The words on my phone are beginning to evolve into blurry symbols but I can’t sleep. The nights are the worst. The mornings are the same. My imaginative psych is creating its own apocalyptic state that no Hollywood hero can save me from. It feels like I’m drowning without you, as if I’m lost at sea. But nope, there’s no water. I’m just a newly self proclaimed insomniac and I’m lost in the city. I’m lost without you.
I love you so much Joe and I miss you dearly. Everything I’m doing here is in hopes to make you proud. No matter how heavy this heart may feel, it won’t amount to the work you put in to get me here. Thank you for the love and opportunity.
-your son.
21 responses to Dr. Joseph Vincent Missett IV, (J.V.)
Gil Perez and Rachel Talaman-Perez says:
August 3, 2021
Oh my goodness. Just this past weekend my wife were on our way back from Steubenville heading toward Wheeling and thought of Joe. This saddens my heart and brings tears to my eyes to find this out.
In 2006, Joe was the senior resident at Wheeling Hospital assigned to take us out for a pharmaceutical sponsored dinner at the River City restaurant as part of our interviewing process. Joe was so gracious that night and disarmed us of any nervousness we might have had and he did it within the first minute. In the short ride from the hospital to the restaurant he managed to make us feel as if we were his friends already. He was so generous to us while we were shortly under his seniority as first-year residents.
I have to share one of our kind of funny memories. There was a time when my wife and I were heading down Route 7 on our way to the airport in the early dark hours of the morning. As we’re driving we come upon this SUV and see this arm hanging outside the back window behind the driver’s seat, but the arm is resting on the front door. And then as we got closer we realize it was Joe! It was the combination of him being so tall and the seat being broken that he had to put a tire behind the seat to keep it up that he had to/was able to have his arm in that position. Take the time to imagine what that looked like! I’ll never forget it! LOL
As I think of Joe right now I feel a smile come upon my face. Joe was such a good guy just as everyone who signed the guestbook has said in one form or another. And along with his family and everyone else outside his family who got to meet and spend time with him, even for the briefest of moments, we will fondly remember Joe as well. I count my wife and myself blessed to have crossed paths with him.
There are a few things left for me to say. When my wife and I pray our daily prayers we very commonly greet our own family members, friends, etc. who have gone before us knowing one day we’ll all be reunited again. I told my wife Joe will now be added to that list of those we greet. So along with saying, “Good morning, mom!” we will now be saying, “Good morning, Joe!” Finally, although it has been a little over five years since his passing to eternal life, on behalf of me and my wife, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to you, Barbara and to your boys, to you, Stephen, and to the rest of the family. All of you will be remembered in our prayers as well.
Gil Perez says:
August 4, 2021
I just realized I made a faux pas after having read the obituary in the New York Times. Our deepest sympathies to you, Carol, and your boys, Santiago and Emilio; to you, Mr. Missett and your wife, Nancy; to you, Stephen and your wife, Heidi; to you, Henry, and your wife, Whitney; to you, Samantha and your husband, John; and to the niece, nephews and godchildren (as mentioned in the obituary) and to all other relatives and friends.
My sincere apologies to you, Carol, for my mistake.
Hope Whitney Wu says:
July 5, 2022
May you rest in peace dear, beautiful, JV (Jota Ve). I knew you since you were 18 1/2 in Madrid and was close to you for 8 years following our time together in Spain, Junior year. You left quite a mark in this world and had such a positive effect on my life. We laughed alot and shared many youthful adventures in Spain, Paris, CT, NYC and Southampton. I was always so proud of your nobility, charm and strength. You went your own way and secured your lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, a great father and husband. You were an amazing person and a true gentleman. I feel so lucky to have been a part of your life for the 8 years we shared together. You will never be forgotten. Thank you JV.
xo ~ Hope