OBITUARY

Joe Alvarado Jr.

31 July, 1944 – 12 January, 2021

Joe Alvarado Jr., 76 of Austin, Texas, passed away, Tuesday January 12, 2021 due to complications from the coronavirus. Joe was born July 31, 1944 in Austin, Texas to Joe Sr. and Josephine Alvarado.

On April 5, 1964 he married his wife and best friend, Dolores Carrizales. Joe was a Navy Veteran, who served in the Vietnam War. Joe held his Ranking as Grandmaster 10th Dan black belt in SORYU Karate. Joe was an Austin Police Department training instructor, who trained Austin Police officers for many years on the use of force and defensive tactics. He trained the de-escalation to APD before the word ever became popular in policing. Joe truly loved the officers, his teachings impacted many lives.

Joe was a Grand Master of SORYU Karate and brought the style to the USA. The love he had for the students was overwhelming and many looked to him as a father figure and a brother. He also was the owner of A&F Trophy Company in South Austin, he had a passion for embroidery and trophies and would often give out his artwork as gifts. Joe loved to fish and participated in many fishing tournaments with his friends. He was a man of principle who always promoted a strong work ethic. Joe always had many stories and jokes he shared with many people. He left an ever lasting imprint in everyone he met. His hugs were unforgettable.

He was preceded in death by mother, Josephine Nandin and father, Joe Sr. and step-mother, Ann Alvarado.

Joe is survived by his wife Dolores; his children, Lisa Stilwell and her husband Bradley, Cynthia Murphy, Erik Alvarado and his wife Nora Alvarado and Steven Alvarado. His sisters, Orelia Soliz, Tresia Garcia, Nora and Linda Nandin; brother, John Alvarado. He’s also survived by his twelve grandchildren, Andrew, Amanda, James, Jonathon, Ella, Emma, Charlie, Logan, Abigail, Britany, Aaron, Israel and eleven great- grandchildren.

Joe will always be in our hearts forever and he will be missed.

A memorial will be held at a later date, for those wanting to be included, send pictures of Joe or want to send your condolences to the family please email at inmemoryofjoealvarado@gmail.com.

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Joe Alvarado Jr.

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James Debrow

9 February 2021

Mr. Grand Master Joe Alvarado (Martial Arts Texas Legend and Hall of Famer) was my teacher and mentor. We trained and collaborated in police defensive tactics at the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He was masterful and creative. I love and will miss my teacher, mentor and friend!
Sergeant James Debrow, Texas Department of Public Safety (State Trooper Training Academy), Retired,
Grand Master and Hall of Famer

Hank Fleming

2 February 2021

Joe was once a member & always a proud supporter of the Austin Police Bass Club. He kept us in shirts and patches and numerous award plates over the years. As a Tribute to Joe, the Austin Police Bass Club is donating the Club's tournament fees of 2020 to C.A.S.T. for Kids in Joe's memory.

JANETTE KURBAN

25 January 2021

To the Alvarado Family-
Your pain must be so immense it is almost unbearable. Please know how loved GMAlvarado is and how many thousands of lives he made better. If he was a Judge in your ring, there was no doubt you would be treated fair and honest. He was kind to me & never did I hear him utter a bad word about any other person. He made a positive difference , and his legacy will live on forever and ever. May God bless you and comfort you in your loss. Many condolences, Janette Kurban 🙏

Roy Kurbanroy

24 January 2021

I met Joe in 1968 at a tournament in Galveston Texas. It was my first competition as a black belt and it might have been his. He was quiet, strong, and tough. He made a great impression on all the black belts. Through the years he proved himself as a fighter, great teacher, and promoter. He was a superb referee who was skilled and fair. He was a leader and founder of the AOK. He did so much for so many. Joe was loved and respected. I will miss those phone calls and long discussions about defensive tactics for police officers. I miss you, Joe. Until we meet again...

Gerard Rumsey

22 January 2021

Thank you for bringing Soryu to Texas. Joe was always kind and of quick wit.
I enjoyed hearing his stories about the early days of Soryu. So sorry to hear of his passing. RIP Mr. Alvarado.

Kevin Phelps

20 January 2021

Thanks, Joe, you will always be my senior. Joe taught me how seriously one must take your martial arts training. RIP, Joe

Anthony Johnson

20 January 2021

Father Joe,

Sir I owe so much to you. I first met you in 1986, you came to our unit and rode out with myself and Todd Myers. After that night the rest is history. We spent so much time together learning self defense from you and coming to your shop spending all our money on Police Shirts that you made personally for Todd and I. When Todd passed away, you and I spoke hours about all the Todd stories. Now that you are gone, I have no one to share any more stories about the three of us. But now you and Todd can share our stories. I spoke with you the week you got sick, even then you were full of jokes. I miss you and Love You Sir.

Anthony (A.J.) Johnson

Professor Gary Lee

20 January 2021

It is 1980 and I blew into Texas Karate from Hawaii, Joe was one of the Texas Legends who influence my career in Texas though the years we would share so much .
I have had the Sport Karate Museum in Texas since 1998 and Joe helped me with Texas History
He allowed me to adopt Rooster , one of his students he raised for my SixFlag
Karate Shows at Astroworld in the early years.
This is the Joe I loved , it is Rooster Machens Roast in Houston , Saturday night at the Banquet , everybody is dressed up wearing Suits and Sunday go to meeting clothes , here comes Joe wearing. pair of Shorts , Hawaiian Shirt and FlipFlops and he comes up to me and says”Gary , I dressed up just for you, and then he gave me a personalized Duffle bag , he made with the Museum logo on it , man ,I loved this guy , Prayers to the family and his BlackBelts , Joe Alvarado R.I.P , thanks for being my friend and mentor
Professor Gary Lee
www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com/home.html
Adoptive Texan thanks to Joe

Carl Zimmerman

19 January 2021

I will miss him. He was a larger-than-life figure in this world. I offer my condolences to his family and friends.

Buzzy Darsey

19 January 2021

It is with heavy heart that I mourn the passing of my Sensei, my mentor, my father, Grand Master Joe Alvarado. He was a great teacher and an inspiration for his students to excel and be the best they are capable of.

The years I spent studying karate under your tutelage were some of the best years of my life. I will see you in Heaven.

Buzzy

FROM THE FAMILY