Joseph Fuentes

Joseph Fuentes, the first baby born in Tampa in 1929 and a lifelong Keystone resident passed away peacefully September 25, 2024 at the age of 95 with his nephew Robert L. Gardana by his side. He was an outstanding person whose legacy will forever be etched in our hearts. He lived a life full of dedication and service. He married the love of his life, Evelyn del Rio Fuentes, in 1953. They shared many wonderful years together until her passing in 2012. Despite their long marriage, Uncle Joe always said she died young, a testament to the deep love and connection they shared. Although they never had children, he always treated his beloved nephew, Robert, as a son.

A proud graduate of the University of Florida, he pursued a career as a chemist. "Joe" served this country with honor in the US Army from 1951 to 1953. Following his military service, he served at the University of South Florida as the Curator of Chemistry for several years before being recruited by the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, where he continued his commitment to our nation by working at McDill Air Force Base as a civilian for 30 years testing jet fuels and overseeing 5 squadrons of F-14's. His dedication to his work and this country was unwavering, retiring in 1995. Despite his dedication to this country, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to seize an opportunity in 1975 to create a ranch in Keystone. He bought acreage, worked the land, and produced cattle, embodying the hard-working spirit he so admired in others. Today, Fuentes Ranch continues his legacy, producing registered American Black Angus pedigree cattle, under the same brand he was granted in 1960.

He was also a man of many passions. He had a deep love for oil painting and spent countless hours creating canvases that many said resembled the works of Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and other great artists. His artistic talent was yet another testament to his multifaceted personality and his ability to find beauty and joy in life. He valued peace and happiness above all else. He never sought anything more from life than to be content and to spread joy to those around him. His social nature and warm personality made him a beloved figure in his community.

In the spirit of Toby Keith's words, Uncle Joe never let the old man in. He lived each day with vigor and a youthful heart, embracing every moment with a zest for life that was truly inspiring. He often said, "Ask yourself how old you would be if you didn't know the day you were born." This philosophy guided him to live fully, never letting age define his spirit.

Rest in peace, Uncle Joe. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will live on in our hearts forever.