Joe G. Guerra

On March 1, 1931, Joe Guerra was born to Florencio and Maria Guerra, in Navasota, Texas at home on the family farm and was the youngest child of seven children. In 1945, at the young age of 14 he walked from Navasota to Houston in search of a better life. Even at 14 years old, our father was a hard working man. Some of the jobs he worked were singing, washing windows, shining shoes and sweeping store fronts. He was a handy man seeking the American Dream.

In 1950, he attained his first steady job with Owl's Photo Service where he delivered orders to customers on a Harley Davidson. Dad met our mother, Dora Guerra, while working at Owl's. Our Mom agreed to go to a movie with him several months later. During the movie, Dad attempted to hold mom's hand in which Mom quickly excused herself to the ladies room. She never returned but that didn't discourage our hard working persistent Dad. They married about a year later on November 23, 1952 in Houston. Dad is survived by daughter Lydia, married to Chris Lewis, daughter Margaret married to Emmanuel Petion, son Joe Randy married to Naomi, son Michael, daughter Debra, married to Vincent Thompson, and daughter Dianna. He is survived by 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Dad is also survived by his brother Trino of Bakersfield, CA and his sister Margaret who raised him because his mother passed away when he was four.

Two months after our parents married, Dad left to serve in the Korean conflict. He served our country in active and reserve duty for a total of ten years.

After returning from the war he was employed with Kroger Warehouse and worked for Kroger from January 10, 1955 until February 27, 1993. To adequately support his family, he worked as a landscaper for our family pediatrician and worked weekends at the local farmer's market so that my mom could stay home and care for seven children. We truly appreciate his work ethic and know that we share this work ethic because of him. After 38 years with Kroger warehouse, he retired and pursued his second love...baseball. We all have vivid memories of having to stand for the national anthem while he listened to the Astros on the radio. He always had hope that the Astros were going to win and knew the history of every player. He umpired faithfully for 20 plus years and was blessed to umpire for the special Olympics. Our mother accompanied him when he umpired and wouldn't allow the crowd to criticize the umpire.

Our Dad was a servant for God. He and our mother took food to the poor, visited the sick, volunteered at the Salvation Army, were active members of Saint Vincent de Paul and kept up the yards for many widows. When asked, "how much are the widows paying?" He replied, "Whatever they can." Sometimes that meant lemons and oranges from their trees. He accepted anything.

Our Dad was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer September, 2009. He fought the battle courageously and always had a positive attitude. We know our dad was receptive to chemotherapy, radiation, and anything else the oncologist suggested solely so he could live longer to care for our mother, his first and forever love. Once our mother passed, he told us he was ready to join her. Our hearts wanted to scream "No Dad. You have to keep fighting." But we all knew we couldn't because they had been inseparable for 62 years. So on Christmas day our father went home to His Savior.

Although we mourn the loss of our father Joe, grandfather, brother, and friend, we rejoice in the blessed assurance of him joining our mom and brothers, Joe Florencio and James, in heaven. The following scripture found in 2 Timothy we feel truly depicts our father's life.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ NCV)