Joseph “Joe” Martin Fern, 77, of Shawnee, KS passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2021 with his family by his side at the VA Hospital in Kansas City. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Monday, October 18th at the Amos Family Funeral Home. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee. Joe will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7400 College Boulevard Suite 350, Shawnee Mission, KS 66210. Joe was born October 26, 1943 to the late Joseph and Constance Fern in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1962 and earned a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry from Kansas State University in 1968. After graduating from college, Joe was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam as an Infantry Officer in the 173rd Airborne Division. Joe was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with 2 oak leaf cluster, and Parachute Badge. After returning home, Joe met Brenda Crowe; they were married on April 25, 1975. Joe was a small business owner and ran a food service and concession company for over 40 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a life member of the Sky Soldiers 173rd Airborne Brigade Association. After Joe retired he was passionate about his frequent outings with the Single Action Shooting Society where he made many friends and was assigned the alias “Shawnee Gambler” for his luck hitting the Sizzling Sevens. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Fern; his daughters, Christina Fern and Michelle Fern; brothers, Jim Fern and Kevin Fern; three grandchildren, Alexyss Seaton; Desiree Newton; Tyree Newton; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Connie Jo Hays; Patsy Meyer; Mary Fern and two brothers, Michael Fern and John Fern.