Joseph Walter Seran, of Bedford, Texas, passed away on May 18, 2026, at age 61 after a valiant battle against ALS.

He was born on November 4, 1964, in Davenport, Iowa, to John Edward Seran and Elizabeth “Betty” L. Seran. The youngest of five children, Joe was close with his mother – who called him her baby boy – and his paternal uncle, Walter Simon Seran, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for his time in the United States Army. He played football and wrestled at Assumption High School (a Catholic school; it didn’t stick) before studying Communications and Spanish at the University of Iowa.

Joe maintained a successful career in insurance for nearly 30 years – a reflection of his passion for taking care of those around him. He was considering opening his own agency in Bettendorf, Iowa, but instead moved to Texas, where he started a family and worked at Liberty Mutual for 19 years.

Though he settled in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Joe kept close ties to Iowa. He was a ride or die supporter of the Hawkeyes and stayed in touch with family and friends from back home, from his big brother Dave to the college buddies he’d play Euchre with at Sancho’s. He even kept up with the family from Mexico who hosted him for a semester study abroad program. He built more lifelong connections in Texas, including with his colleagues at Liberty Mutual and the folks he met as a dedicated member of Business Network International and Network Now. Though more of a dog person, he was committed to fulfilling Betty’s final wish: taking care of her beloved cats, Tank and Tiger, in the wake of her passing.

As such, Joe will be remembered most as a devoted friend – and father. He was happiest when working out with his youngest son, Sean; throwing a football with his eldest, Lucas; or grilling with his second born, Brock. In addition to the Hawkeyes, he somehow managed to stay positive about the fate of the Dallas Cowboys, and rooted for the Texas Longhorns … until Lucas studied engineering at Texas A&M. Always a supportive dad, he then began pulling for the Aggies.

Joe and his wife, Tammy, reveled in a pool day with their dogs, Leo and Mercedes. Every weekend in the summer you’d find him in the backyard, beer in hand, listening to music, or working hard to keep the pool sparkling clean. The couple also loved going to concerts and saw Joe’s favorite artists – Post Malone and Kings of Leon – more times than you could count.

Traveling was another favorite pastime for Joe. Every summer he took his family to Michigan to visit his sister, Joan Marie Groening, and every fall, he and Tammy celebrated their birthdays in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where he could practice his Spanish. Oftentimes local businesses would cut his bill in half upon noticing he was fluent in the language – a real treat for Joe, who always had his eye on a deal.

Joe is survived by his wife, Tamara Leigh Dugger; his sons, Lucas Joseph Seran, Brock Thomas Seran, and Sean Michael Seran; his sister and brother-in-law, Joan Marie Groening and Roland Arthur Groening; his brother and sister-in-law, David John Seran and Kris Seran; his nieces, Dr. Amy Riffel and Candice Patricia Ritchie; and his nephews, Alex J. Groening and Brett David Seran. He was predeceased by his father, John Edward Seran; his mother, Elizabeth “Betty” L. Seran; his uncle, Walter Simon Seran; and his oldest sister, Barbara Jean Riffel.

The family would like to thank those who believed in, encouraged, and prayed for him throughout his fight with ALS. The love and faith meant more to him and our family than words can express. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ALS Association. Go Hawks!