Jose Olivares

Jose Olivares, a man of deep faith and immense generosity passed away peacefully on December 19th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Born March 19th, 1943, in San Carlos Tamaulipas, Mexico, to Pablo and Maria de Jesus, Jose was one of twelve children. Throughout his 82 years, he was known by many names – Pepe, Don Jose, Papi and Papalolo, each reflecting the deep mark of love he left on those around him.

Jose left Mexico alongside his brothers, in pursuit of the American Dream. And he found it. He worked from sun up to sun down harvesting oranges in sunny California. Many times going unpaid for his work. He then tried his luck in Las Vegas working in hotels and restaurants before making his way back to California as a dish washer and then in a chrome plating business. This became his calling when he moved to Houston, Texas.

In 1974 he married his beautiful bride of 51 years, Graciela “Chela”. Together they had four daughters, Griselda, Reyna, Dalia and Gilda. After working in a plating shop for several years, with the support of Chela, they founded Airline Plating in 1979. A successful business to this day.

Jose had a heart of “gold”. He never met a stranger he wouldn’t help, whether it was family or strangers, he provided shelter, money, food or employment. His gift of giving and helping, is something his daughters will cherish and carry on.

He was an honest and hardworking man, working six days a week and always getting his hands dirty working along his “guys” and yard dogs. He was a beloved “boss”/“jefe”. He loved playing pranks on them, anything for a laugh. He was a devoted husband and father. He always emphasizing the importance of education. He was able to provide them with private school and college education.

Watching boxing was his favorite past time. This is how he bonded with his girls since he never had a son. He also collected and restored classic cars. Many thanksgiving breaks were spent as a family at the Houston Autorama. He has the trophies to show the beautiful work that was put into the cars, be it his ’66 Mustang or his ’34 Buick. He also loved watching baseball. He was a Dodgers, Fernando Valenzuela fan for a long time before he finally converted to being an Astros Fan of Jose Cruz. A lover of music and dancing made him the life of the party.

Jose leaves behind his wife Chela, daughters, Griselda, Reyna, Dalia and Gilda, brother Jesus, sister, Juanita, son in laws Elias, Jaime, Americo, and Fernando, and his grandchildren who called him “Papalolo”, Sebastian, Adrian, Katia, Damian, Mateo, Camila, Vida, Zoe, Gianna and Luca. A beloved tio, he was also blessed with many Godchildren.

The world is a little less bright without him. Pepe, “you’re the best in the West”.

Visitation will be held at Brookside Funeral Home - Champion, located at 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068, on December 29, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Rosary service will also take place at the same venue on December 29, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

The Funeral Service is scheduled for December 30, 2025, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, located at 19222 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070.

A Committal Service will follow on December 30, 2025, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home & Cemetery, located at 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060.

Pallbearers will include Elias Reyna, Sebastian Reyna, Adrian Reyna, Damian Reyna, Americo Trevino, Mateo Trevino, Jaime Cruz, and Fernando Saldana.