Joe Mendez Esparza

Joe was born to Pedro and Guadalupe (Mendez) Esparza on August 23, 1930, in Austin, TX and is one of 10 children. He spent some of his childhood migrating with his family yearly to the mid-western United States to pick crops. In 1953 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the Korean War where he earned the rank of Corporal and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he married Ventura DeLeon on May 23, 1955 , and they spent the next 70 years together. Their family began on the East side of Austin, TX. On January 13, 1956, they welcomed their first child, daughter Rose Mary. On January 3, 1957, they welcomed their son, John. In 1969, they moved their family to Central Austin, and it is their home to this day. He spent his working career at ButterKrust, Austin Brake and Clutch as a machinist, and as a landscaper, taking pride in making lawns look perfect.

Joe was a man of endless kindness, compassion, and patience. He was always soft spoken, but let his actions speak for him. He was always willing to help others and never wanted to put people out to help him. He was always more concerned with his loved ones than himself. He loved God and his faith, dancing, good food, scratchers, “las luchas,” the Cowboys, the Longhorns, the Astros and Rangers, most importantly he loved and adored his family. He was funny, cracking jokes to lighten the mood, or just for fun! He was a fighter. He had been dealing with health issues for decades, and he fought every time a health challenge came to him, and he beat them all, till the end. He was known as Honey, Joe, “Chepo,” Dad, Grandpa, or Mr. Esparza. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Tio, brother, son, primo and friend. Most important of all, he was a loving husband, always putting the needs of his wife before his own and making sure to be 100% by her side as much as possible.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Pedro and Guadalupe, mother-in-law Rosa Rodriguez, brother-in-law Joe Rodriguez, brothers David, Jimmy, and Juanas Esparza, sisters Leonor Gonzales, Cleofas Nunez, and Lupe Jimenez, and daughter-in-law Juanita (Sanchez).

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 70 years Ventura, daughter Rose Mary and husband Johnny Castro, son John, siblings Mary Luna, Pete and Jesse Esparza, grandchildren Chris and wife Jennifer Cavazos, Florinda, Stephanie and Marcos, Michael Castro, Veronica and husband Omar Zayas, great-grandchildren Dameion Cavazos who was a loving caretaker for his Grandpa, Rachel Tomeff and Jaxon Cavazos, Andres Jr., Isabella and Cameron Casarez, Neveah and Adrianna, Bella and Elijah Zayas.

Joe’s memory lives on with those who loved him, and he will be loved and missed forever.

A visitation for Joe will be held Monday, January 27, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A rosary will occur Monday, January 27, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1206 E 9th St, Austin, TX 78702. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home & Cemetery, 14501 N Interstate Hwy 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.

Serving as pallbearers are Chris Cavazos, Dameion Cavazos, Michael Castro, Marcos Esparza, Omar Zayas, Andres Casarez, Bones James Luna and Larry Gonzales.