Jose Alvarez Medina Jr.

Joe was born on January 27, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jose S. Medina Sr. and Juanita Alvarez Medina. As the oldest male and at an early age, he understood his role within the family, exercising the meaning of responsibility, loyalty, obedience, and hard work while consistently striving to make his parents proud. He would abide by these important values throughout his entire life. As a boy, Joe learned at the feet of his father to play instruments, sing harmony, perform publicly, which would develop into a lifelong passion for music. By the age of 13, Joe was performing on a professional level throughout the Chicagoland area. Alongside his musical pursuits, Joe excelled academically, funding his own tuition to attend Cathedral High School in Chicago, where he graduated with honors.

Following his graduation, several pivotal events shaped Joe’s adulthood. After reading a copy of The Book of Mormon, Joe was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That same year, he met Anna Isabel Guerra—the love of his life and eternal companion of 49 years—in addition to enlisting in the United States Air Force. Joe and Anna were married on April 9, 1977 in Chicago. They became parents to their first child, Joseph Adam, in July 1978. In the spring of 1980, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington D.C. Temple. Their family grew with the birth of Christina Isabel, in August 1980 and Jonathan Abraham, in September 1983.

While building a life for his family, Joe pursued training in the emerging field of computers. Driven by faith and determination, he traveled alone in search of opportunity, which led Joe and Anna to relocate their young family to Texas. Here they would build their permanent home together. Joe built a successful career in Information Technology that spanned more than 40 years, retiring in 2023 as a Senior IT Architect. Joe often expressed gratitude for the many blessings the Lord provided throughout his professional life.

Music remained a lifelong passion. In 1988, Joe and his brother Michael formed the Latin music group “Estrella del Norte”. Joe and Mike Medina were signed to Capital Records, recording five studio albums and earning a nomination for Best Conjunto at the 1993 Pura Vida Tejano Music Awards. The brothers toured extensively throughout the southwestern United States before stepping away from the spotlight to focus on family and faith. In similar fashion to his father, Joe would pass on his professional music experience to his 3 children, even performing again live, in and around San Antonio with his two sons.

Above all else, Joe was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. He faithfully served in numerous callings within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved teaching the gospel and helping others draw closer to the Savior. His love, humor, teachings and wisdom will resonate within the hearts and minds of those who knew him best.

Joe’s greatest joy was his family—especially his precious wife, Anna, who was the center of his world. He spent his life loving, providing for, and serving his family with quiet, steadfast devotion.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Jose S. Medina Sr. and Juanita Alvarez Medina; his brother, Jose Alvarez; and his beloved brother, Michael A. Medina who preceded him in death by 36 days.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anna Isabel Medina; their children, Joseph Adam Medina Sr.; Christina Isabel Bourne and her husband, Carson; and Jonathan Abraham Medina Sr. and his wife, Skylar. He is also survived by his sisters, Rosa and Janet, and 12 grandchildren who lovingly called him “Papa” and “Pa”: Reese, Jayden, Lincoln, Maelyn, Chandler, Sophia, Libby, Joseph Jr., Sienna, Jonathan Jr., Isabella-Marie, and Jaxson.

A visitation will be held Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, 2102 N Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 8801 Midcrown Dr, Windcrest, TX 78239, with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.