Joe was born to parents Crespin Bejarano and Benigna L. Bejarano in Phoenix, Arizona, March 25, 1941. In his early years he grew up in the Salinas Valley California area, and later moved to Bakersfield where he made his permanent home.
Joe worked for the City of Bakersfield for 37 years, retiring in 2002 as a Certified Arborist/Supervisor. He was recognized in 1991 being inducted into the Central Labor Hall of Fame for his meritorious service as president of the Local Union S.E.I.U. 700 for more than 20 years. His commitment to his fellow employees and his job always came first, just as it was with family.
When younger he participated in his children's and grandchild's sports activities by being very involved as their coaches for softball, soccer, baseball, football, and basketball, or by simply being there to cheer them on. He also coached several seasons of Bakersfield Organized Women's Soccer. Those days brought back his most fond and proud memories of his children while reminiscing.
Joe was a Vietnam veteran serving 1966-1968 in the U.S. Army 88th Transportation Unit attached to the 124th Battalion. He belonged to the Arizona Pioneer Cemetery and Research Project and the Black Canyon Historical Society of Arizona. These organizations helped him to complete his family genealogy and lineage, and he was proud to be a member of both. He was an avid gardener and landscaper. Planting, trimming, and caring for trees was his specialty, and his own yard was immaculately cared for.
Joe's family was the number one priority in his life, and he leaves behind his brother George of Oakland, his daughter Alexandra Barnes and husband Johnny, son Joseph and wife Christine, plus grandson Dylan Lakin. Additionally, he is survived by wife Molly, son Phoenix and fiancee Andrea Bridgewater, plus numerous nieces, nephews and primos too numerous to count! His survivors are a tribute to his legacy as a faith-driven man.
He especially wanted his primas Lupe Bejarano and Ophelia Bejarano Rodriguez to know how much he adored them and to be recognized and thanked for the love they always extended to him when he visited family in Arizona. He will be forever loved and in all his family's hearts forever.
His love for each and every family member was evident in all he did. He would have liked his two nieces Summer Limuti Mazza and Priscilla Limuti to have a huge hug for dropping everything in their lives and helping Molly to care for him as he began hospice. He was an EXCEPTIONAL man, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Rosary will be held Monday March 26, 2018 at 6pm in Hillcrest Memorial Chapel 9101 Kern Canyon Rd. Mass will follow at 10:30 am Tuesday March 27, 2018 Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. Burial to follow at 1:15 pm Bakersfield National Cemetery 30338 E. Bear Mtn. Blvd., Arvin, Ca
