Joseph James Dudasik

Poet and philosopher, artist and altruist, Joe Dudasik died peacefully December 17, 2024, in the presence of his beloved daughter, Rachel. He was a resident of Marshall, NC.

Born August 24, 1948, at Fort Bragg, NC, Joe and his family lived in Idaho, Georgia, Japan, and California before settling in New Bern, NC. Joe graduated from New Bern High School in 1966 and attended East Carolina University, focusing his studies on Art History. He would later earn a degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College. A lifelong pacifist, Joe was granted conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War and spent his life creating a better world through his paintings, his carpentry, his poetry, and his wit.

He will also be remembered for his deep knowledge of folk music and classic movies and for the tiered garden he cultivated at his hand-built greenhouse residence. He loved exploring his family’s genealogy and enjoyed “graveyard hopping” on his visits to the coast. A gifted watercolorist, Joe exhibited his scenes of rural homes, idyllic ruins, and life-filled forests in galleries throughout North Carolina.

Joe is survived by his daughter Margaret Rachel Dudasik of Asheville, NC; his sisters Debbie Dudasik (Bill Kelly) of Wilson, NC, and Dr. Cheryl Dudasik-Wiggs (Sefton Wiggs) of New Bern, NC; his niece Tish Wiggs (Dr. James Broomall) and their children of Shepherdstown, WV; and many close friends across the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents Margaret (Willis) and Stephen Dudasik Sr. of New Bern, NC; his brother Dr. Stephen Dudasik, Jr. of San Diego, CA; and his nephew Stephen Gaskins of Bridgeton, NC. Joe remained close to his maternal step-grandmother, Vivian “Bibbie” Willis, throughout her life, guided and inspired by her gentle nature and love of cooking.

A public celebration of life will be held on May 17th in Marshall at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, during which time we hope you will join us to tell your favorite “Joe stories.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be considered to the WNC Long Haul – Recovery and Resilience Fund, Madison County Arts Council, and Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum.