T/Sgt. Joe Louis Delgado (U.S.Air Force, Retired)

On December 1, 2014, Joe Louis Delgado was called home to be with his Lord and Savior and join his son Neville Delgado, brother Miguel “Mike” J. Delgado, brothers-in-law Bob Fritz and Jose “Joe” Torres, mother Maria de Jesus “Susie” Delgado, father Miguel “Mike” T. Delgado and many other loving family members who preceded him in death. Those who survived Joe are his loving wife of 58 years Vera Delgado (formerly Beavis), his sons Nigel (Lynn) Delgado, Anthony (Marianne) Delgado and his daughter Annette (J.C.) Tscheulin. His brother Rudy Delgado and sister Mary Francis Fritz Torres-Santiago (formerly Delgado) also survived him. Joe’s surviving grandchildren are Amanda Davis, Ryan Sweeney, Evan and Jenna Delgado, and Joshua and Jaxon Tscheulin. He was also blessed to have enjoyed the love of his great-grandson Landon Williams.

Joe was so proud of his centuries-long Texas heritage. Being born on July 10, 1935 in San Antonio, Texas, he was an eighth generation Tejano and descendant of Juan Delgado—the head of the Canary Islands’ 12th family; settlers and pioneers who, at the behest of King Felipe V of Spain, arrived San Antonio on March 9, 1731 with 15 other Canary Islands families. His ancestors created the first civil settlement and government in Texas; established some of the first ranches; served in many of the local militias and high-level governmental positions that would establish the Republic of Texas and would eventually result in Texas becoming the 28th state in the Union. Joe’s successful personal qualities were the same as those that served his forefathers well—love for God, family and country.

Like the ancestors before him as well as his two brothers and brothers-in-law, Joe Delgado served his country for most of his adult life. Joe joined the U.S armed forces in 1953 and retired from federal civil service in 1998—devoting more than 45 years to our nation’s defense. His voluntary Air Force military career took him to many places where he and his loving family made everlasting memories; England, where he met and fell in love with his sweetheart Vera Beavis; Michigan, Mississippi, Texas as well as a couple of tours in Germany and a short tour in Spain.

Family meant so much to Joe. He enjoyed spending time with his children and taking vacations. Whether visiting many European tourist spots or those in the states like the Grand Canyon and the Smoky Mountains; or just spending time at the Texas coast, he relished family time. He frequently would sit, laughing while recalling the many fond times spent with children, grandchildren and his great-grandson. It’s these times and memories that his family will treasure most about their husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.