Jose Antonio Vega-Montalvo

Jose Antonio Vega-Montalvo passed away peacefully on Thursday July 24, 2014 at his daughter’s home in Summerville, South Carolina surrounded by family. He was born in Camuy, Puerto Rico on a family farm to Gonzalo Vega-Cabrera and Angela Montalvo-Cortes and is survived by his brother Luis Vega-Montalvo and his sister Casilda Vega-Musa from Catano, Puerto Rico. His deceased siblings: Ramonita Vega-Montalvo, Manual Vega-Montalvo, Carmen Vega-Montalvo rest in peace in Puerto Rico.

Jose (Joe) was married to Dolores Lujan Vega (deceased) and he had 6 children: Nicholas Marentes, Dolores Vega-Johnson, Annette Vega-Silvernale, Debra Vega-Owens (deceased), Marylea Vega-Montalvo, and Joseph Vega-Montalvo. He was also a proud grandfather of eight: James, Nicole and Camille Silvernale from Summerville, South Carolina; Shonte` Bobbitt from Auburn, Washington, Sheena Owens and Mychal Owens from Tacoma, Washington; Armand Blankenship from Huntsville, Alabama and Shamira Meadows from Omaha, Nebraska. He is survived by 5 great-grandchildren. Joe was a philanthropist at heart; he volunteered as a Scout Master, and his passion was being a coach for youth soccer, softball, and basketball. He received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Tarkio College in Tarkio Missouri and was great at debating current events in our world today.

Joe served his country with distinction for 52 years. He retired from the Air Force after 30 years as an Intelligence Officer stationed in various Air Force Bases throughout the United States and overseas. In addition, he was a Customs Officer for 28 years and one of founding members of Homeland Security. He currently resided in Slidell, Louisiana and was visiting his family in South Carolina.