COL (DR.) Joseph D. Sarnicki, age 71 of Hampton, AR. passed away at his home on September 5, 2023. He was born January 21, 1052 in Gary, Indiana to the late John Thomas and Bernice Petrovic Sarnicki.
He was known as “The Colonel” or “Dr. Joe” to many and was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend and compassionate physician with a genuine love of the military.
COL (DR.) Sarnicki enlisted in the Army in 1970 and preformed his basic training at Ft. Lewis, WA, and AIT at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, becoming a medic and medical laboratory specialist. Specialist 5 Sarnicki served at Madigan General Hospital, Ft. Lewis, WA and MSR Base (Missile Site Radar) in North Dakota. Specialist 5 Sarnicki received an honorable Discharge in 1973 at Ft. Carson, CO.
Dr. Sarnicki attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and Indiana University School of Medical Physician Assistant Program, Ft. Wayne, IN, from 1974 until 1976 receiving his PA certificate. Dr. Sarnicki attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello, AR, from 1978 to 1980 and received his bachelor’s degree.
Dr. Sarnicki joined the Iowa Army National Guard in 1983 as a Physician’s Assistant and was commissioned a Warrant Officer (WO1). He was later promoted to 2nd Lieutenant as a medical student and upon graduation from medical school at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, IA, in 1986, to Captain, Medical Corps.
Dr. Sarnicki joined the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1988 and served as a field surgeon with the 39th Infantry Brigade. He was promoted to Major and made commander of Company C (MED), 39th Support Battalion. Dr. Sarnicki was promoted to Lt. Colonel and served as the Battalion Surgeon for the 39th Infantry Brigade Support Battalion. During these periods, COL Sarnicki served in Battalion Surgeon positions for the 5/206 FA and 1/153 INF Battalion during training missions to Central America. In 1998, Dr Sarnicki was promoted to Colonel and became the Brigade Surgeon for the 39th Infantry Brigade After September 11th, 2001, Dr. Sarnicki was mobilized for 10 months and deployed to Egypt (Sinai) in support of Operation Noble Eagle with the 2/153 INF Battalion. In 2003, he was again mobilized and spent a year in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II as the 39th Infantry Brigade Surgeon. He would be mobilized once more for medical support during hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In 2008, Dr. Sarnicki became the Deputy Commander Clinical with the Medical Command, Arkansas Army National Guard.
Colonel (Dr.) Sarnicki’s numerous awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Army Commendation Medal with OLC and “V” device for valor, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon with two service stars, the Combat Medic Badge and is an inductee in the Order of Military Medical Merit.
Dr. Sarnicki started work at CABUN Clinic on December 17, 1987 and went on to retire in December of 2018, then he worked part time until June of 2021, he was also a faculty member for UAMS at AHEC in El Dorado, AR from July 1, 2006 until December 19, 2012. He was named Family Physician of the year in 2002 among numerous other awards.
COL (Dr.) Sarnicki is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Debora (Johnston) Sarnicki; one son, (SMS)gt Matthew Sarnicki and wife Levi; one daughter, Melissa Booker and husband Greg; four grandchildren, Raegan, Kendyl, Keelie, and Kennedy; one great granddaughter, Isabella Baswell; brothers, John Thomas, Ronald and David Sarnicki along with their wives; many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to friends, Patty Wisinger and John Henry Thompson and also a special thank you to the Arkansas Hospice employees.
In Lieu of flowers to honor him the family asks you to consider a gift for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation or the Wounded Warriors family support project.
Visitation will be Monday September 11, 2023 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Benton Funeral Home in Hampton. Graveside services will be 10:00 am Tuesday September 12, 2023 at Earnest Cemetery with Rev. Rickey Smith officiating. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www. bentonfuneralhome. net.
