Joseph William McCaffrey Jr of Las Vegas, NM passed away peacefully on September 28, 2023. Joe was a descendant of New Mexico pioneers and was born in Albuquerque, NM on November 30, 1937. He had a distinguished 30 year career as a computational scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory and later as a professor at New Mexico Highlands University. He was an avid runner, photographer, and woodworker.

Joe's family was a source of pride. He was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by Martha, his loving wife of sixty-four years. He had four children, Christine Burks (Brian) of Santa Fe, NM; David (Robin) of Carriere, MS; Timothy (Mona) of Gulfport, MS; and Helen (Michael O'Neil) of Helena, MT. He had five grandchildren, Sean Burks, Kyle Burks, Emma O'Neil, Alison O'Neil and Elizabeth McCaffrey. He was the son of Rosalie and Joseph W. McCaffrey Sr. He is survived by his sister Charlotte Arendt and predeceased by his sister Frances Tomlinson and brother James McCaffrey.

Joe was a graduate of St. Mary's High School in Albuquerque. He received a Bachelors and Masters degree in physics and mathematics from New Mexico Highlands University and his doctorate in physics from Colorado State University.

Following graduation, Joe went to work for the Naval Research Laboratory. In 1977, he transferred to the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where he spent most of his career.

At NRL, Joe rose to become a leader of one of the laboratory's most productive scientific groups, which published groundbreaking research on topics such as El Niño, tide and storm surge, ocean currents, and arctic sea ice.

Joe was most proud of the work he did on behalf of global positional system, or GPS, for which he was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. In 1981 the House Armed Service Committee cut the entire budget for GPS research. He wrote the white paper that answered all the technical and budgetary questions, resulting in funding being restored. GPS technology has expanded from its original military applications to scientific discovery and wide spread use, including applications in cell phones and automobiles.

During his career, Joe held a variety of leadership positions, such as serving as the vice-chair of the Institute of Electronics Engineers/Association for Computing Machinery. He also co-convened an American Geophysical Union Ocean Sciences Meeting, among others.

Joe has an extensive list of scholarly publications and professional presentations

After retiring from the Naval Research Laboratory, Joe worked as the associate director of the Engineering Research Center at Mississippi State University, where he was also a computational engineering professor. In addition, he was the senior research scientist and interim director of the Trent Lott Center for High Performance Computing and Visualization at the Stennis Space Center.

Joe was an award winning landscape photographer. He served on the board of the Las Vegas, NM Arts Council and was a member of the Meadow City Camera Club.

Joe was an active member of the New Mexico Democratic Party, serving as a delegate to the 2016 and 2020 National Conventions.

He competed in the Boston Marathon, including the 100 year anniversary race. He also ran the Marine Corps Marathon, the New Orleans Marathon and numerous other races.

In 2007, Joe and Martha returned to Las Vegas to begin a new phase of their lives. Often greeting neighbors on many walks, they enjoyed old and new friendships. Joe could often be found having coffee at Charlie's Spic and Span or playing poker with his friends.

As an alumnus of Highlands, Joe worked to repay the University for providing a strong foundation for his life and career. He served as a physics professor and on the board of New Mexico Highlands Foundation. He and Martha were both passionate supporters of the Highlands Media Arts Program and its students.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the McCaffrey Family and Friends Endowment benefiting the Media Arts Department at Highlands University. Donations can be sent to the NMHU Foundation, Box 9000, Las Vegas, NM 8770.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Las Vegas, NM.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM 87701 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.