Charles Joel Sasser, 84, of Huntingtown, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Joel is survived and missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Mercedes P. Sasser; his two children, Justin J. Sasser (Spouse Kimberly), and Colombe E. Fruehauf (Spouse Adam); his four grandchildren, Christopher (Spouse Shannon), Ashley (Spouse Austin), Eden (Spouse T.J.), and Audrey; his six great-grandchildren, Arianna, Jaicy, Kaisley, Lexi, Jack, and Colt; his brother, Donald J. Sasser (Spouse Dianne), his nephew, Thomas (Spouse Heather), his niece, Susanne (Spouse Javier), and his great-nieces and great-nephews.
Joel was born on February 12, 1941, in West Palm Beach, Florida, a beloved son of the late Gedie Julian and Colombe Cecile Sasser. Joel earned the rank of Eagle Scout on March 3, 1955, was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and graduated high school in 1959. He graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 1964, with a Bachelor of Science degree, and The Catholic University of America, with a Master’s degree in Education in 1965.
Joel met his wife, Mercedes, “Dese”, while attending Catholic University, and they married on November 25, 1965. After graduation from graduate school, Joel and Dese moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland, where he taught high school biology for (20) twenty years, and Dese taught as a speech pathologist. In 1978 they moved the family to Huntingtown, Maryland, where both Joel and Dese continued to teach, and later retired after thirty (30) years of dedicated service.
Joel had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, was an avid reader, and possessed a true knack for how to pass this information along to his students. He instilled in his students the notion of how to “try, and if you fail, try again until you succeed”. In addition to serving as a high school science teacher for over 30 years, he had a true passion for baseball, was an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and could often be found on a baseball diamond where he served as a high school baseball coach for over fifteen (15) years. He was a skilled woodcarver, painter, an avid gardener (a true “green thumb”), and had an appreciation for anything “unusual”.
Joel’s legacy will carry on in all who came to know him, reminding us that we control our own actions and attitudes. He encouraged others to choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us. His lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother is a true inspiration.
A visitation and celebration of life will be held at Rausch Funeral Home, 4405 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, Maryland 20676 on Thursday, on May 1, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 105 Vianney Lane, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678, on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either St. John Vianney Catholic Church or the Boy Scouts of America/Scouting America.
Linda Call
May 28 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
Mr. Sasser was an extraordinary teacher. He was ahead of his time in his teaching methods, a true mentor who encouraged curiosity and independence. I’ll always remember the smell of his pipe smoke wafting through the halls of the school after hours- a sign that he was still in class doing work, and a welcome to stop by and say hello. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Anne (Bussell) Perrella
May 15 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
Mr. Sasser changed my life. He challenged us, set the standards high, made us do the work, and allowed us to really experience the learning in a way that helped us “own” it for ourselves. You could also tell that he really cared for us as students. I ended up becoming a biology teacher myself, and hoped to motivate my students the way he did. May he rest in the peace of Christ.
Ilsa (Gonzalez) Ferro
May 15 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
Mr. Sasser influenced thousands of students. He was engaging, and raised the bar but made success achievable. We need many more like him. May he rest in peace.
Ilsa (Gonzalez) Ferro
Central High School
Class of 76
Katie Shepherd Dredger
May 6 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Sasser was one of the teachers that I tried to model when I chose to teach. He had high standards and showed that he truly cared for his students.
Adrian Vincent James
May 2 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
Condolences to family, friends and Central High School Class of 1973. Mr. Sasser was our favorite science teacher making each of us inquire and do more with great expectations. I’m so glad he joked about me dancing in his class all the time that led me to follow my dream becoming the 1st African American to dance with the Houston Ballet in 1977
Rest in Peace and Power
Arie J Gray
May 2 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
Greetings! Mr. Sasser taught me Biology at Central HS, from which I graduated in 1973. Although I was headed towards a music career, he did an outstanding job teaching someone like me!! I also ended up becoming a successful teacher so he truly impacted my life. He was a fantastic teacher! May God bless and comfort you in the days ahead.
Gary Graham
May 2 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
I’ve never met a better representative of all that an educator should aspire to be and do. Our time together was short but your impact on my pursuit of higher education was profound!
Gary Graham 95
Earlene Ireland
May 2 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
Joel’s “footprints” have impacted many lives as seen in the beautiful tributes/condolences that have been posted by many students and friends. Most of those who wrote their heartfelt condolences were former students…genuine tributes for a man/teacher.
Jennifer Olsen Smith
May 2 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
I had Mr. Sasser for biology. His way of teaching made learning fun and interesting. My condolences to his family and friends.
Larry Johnson
May 1 – Obituary: Joel Sasser
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