Joseph Anthony Turella, Jr.

SFC Joseph A. (Joe) Turella, also known to his family as “Sonny Boy”, received his final orders on July 27, 2023, when the Lord called him home at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) with his family by his side. The staff at BAMC honored him in death with a Fallen Veteran’s Honor Walk, a memorial befitting of his 21 years of selfless service to the US Armed Forces.

Joe was born in Corpus Christi, TX, the eldest son of Joseph A. and Gertrude M. Turella. He had one sibling, Robert C. Turella, who was 7 years his junior. When he was around the age of 6, the family moved to San Antonio, TX, where they settled in a lovely Tobin Hill neighborhood on E. French Place. He received a Catholic school education, to include attending Our Lady of Sorrows and Central Catholic High School. In 1953, he chose to attend and graduate from San Antonio Tech High School. He played sports as a child and young man, with baseball being his absolute favorite.

Following his high school graduation, Joe enlisted in the US Air Force (USAF) in October of 1953. After completing basic training, he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, CO. It was there where he met Patricia (Patsy) Vasquez, his wife of 68 years. The couple married on December 18, 1954, in Edgewater, CO. Shortly following their nuptials, the couple set up their first home at Lockport Air Force Station in Cambria, NY. Their first child, Vince Anthony Turella, was born there on October 22, 1955. Their second duty station was in Frankfurt, Germany. Joe served 4 years in the USAF before receiving an honorable discharge in October of 1957. Following his separation, the couple settled in San Antonio, TX. For the next 5 years, he worked in different fields trying to find the right career fit. Nothing compared to his time in the USAF. This prompted him to reenlist in the US Military in 1962, this time choosing the US Army as his branch of service. From there he attended the highly honored Drill Sergeant School, where he became part of an elite group of NCOs chosen to be drill instructors. His first assignment as a new drill instructor was at Ft. Dix, NJ, where his duty was to turn newly enlisted trainees into combat ready soldiers. On July 16, 1966, he and his wife welcomed their second child at Ft. Dix, Gina Marie Turella.

Following his time at Ft. Dix, Joe served two tours in the Vietnam War, one in 1967 and the other in 1969. In between his two tours, he served as an instructor at Allen Academy in Bryan, TX. In 1971, after completing the training required to become a recruiter, he and his family moved to Layton, UT, where he was assigned to Hill Air Force Base and worked his first job as a recruiter. His career as a recruiter was cut short in 1972 when he was compassionately reassigned to San Antonio, TX due to his mother being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He received one of his last duty assignments in 1973 when he received orders for an overseas tour at Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen, Germany, part of US Army Garrison Stuttgart. There, he oversaw troops at the Kaserne’s Army/Air Force Post Office. SFC Turella did many different jobs throughout his military career. He was the recipient of several military service medals, decorations, and awards, including two bronze stars from his two tours in Vietnam, one with the “V” device for valor. He honorably retired from the US Army on 2/1/1978. Following his retirement, Joe did various jobs until he found his great love, officiating sports. In the early 1980’s, he became a certified sports official specializing in baseball, football, and softball. He officiated sports until the age of 65, when he was forced to stop due to treatment for Agent Orange related cancer. Afterwards, he became an active member of the Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association. In 2010, he became a grandfather for the first time. His grandson was the light of his life. He became lovingly known as “Papa” and later, “Grandpa”. Anyone who met Joe knew about his beloved grandson as he proudly boasted about him often. He loved watching his “little guy” play soccer. He and his “Bambino” watched all kinds of sports and movies with Italian actors each time they were together.

He is preceded in death by his son, Vince Anthony Turella, father, Joseph A. Turella, Sr., beloved mother, Gertrude M. Turella, younger brother, Robert C. Turella, and great niece Krysti R. Turella. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia V. Turella, daughter, Gina M. Turella-Garcia, son-in law, Xavier A. Garcia, and grandson, Aaron V. Garcia. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Alice R. Turella, nieces, Yvonne M. Perez, and Valerie Vlahos (Peter), and nephew, Dale D. Turella (Collette), and great-nieces and great-nephews Taylor, Kyler, Davion, Lydia, George, and Oliver.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the critical care team at BAMC who worked tirelessly to try to save SFC Turella’s life. We would also like to thank the staff at Security Service Federal Credit Union Windcrest for your kindness and compassion towards Joe both in life and death. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

ROSARYTHURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 20237:00 PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 McCULLOUGH AVE

VISITATIONFRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 202311:00 AMST PIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH3303 URBAN CREST

MASSFRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 202312:00 PMST PIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH3303 URBAN CREST

Father Pat O’Brien will officiate. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery.