Jose Angel “Champ” Contreras passed away peacefully and joined his beautiful wife, Beatrice, on March 28th, surrounded by his loving family after a fulfilled blessed life of 92 years. He was born on November 25, 1926, in Baytown, TX.
Jose, also known as “Champ”, met his loving wife in 1947, whom he married on June 24, 1949, and were married for 67 years.
Champ was a World War II veteran in the Navy between 1943 – 1946 (Buglemaster 1C). He worked for Humble Oil, Texas highway department, and GCCISD as a supervisor in Operations until he received medical retirement. Due to enlisting into the Navy at 17 years of age Champ was unable to receive his high school diploma. 59 years later, in 2002, Champ was granted the honor of receiving his diploma from Robert E. Lee High School. He was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, a member of the Guadalupanas for about 26 years and attended the Guadalupana rosary each Monday morning, joined the Cursillistas in 1963, was a Mariachi for 14 years where he was first chair and earned his name “Champ”, belonged to the Spirit of Love choir at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, and was a Seniors director of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Precinct 2, until 2003. He enjoyed dancing, listening to all kinds of music, playing the trumpet in the mariachis, as well as many other occasions. He loved going to Texans and Astros games, watching his children and grandchildren in their little league sports, and gathering with all his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Contreras, parents, Miguel Sr. and Canuta Contreras, brothers and sisters, including Rudy Contreras Sr; wife Alicia, Rigoberto Contreras, Mike Contreras; wife Carmen, daughter, Angelina Rios, granddaughter, Katherine Rios Young, great grandson, Seth John Young, and brother in law, John Del Valle.
He is survived by his two sons, Edward and Joey Contreras, one daughter, Terry Olivarez; husband Martin, and son in law, Rafael Rios Jr., all of Baytown. He is also survived by his sisters, Elida Villarreal; husband Oscar, of San Antonio, Irma Del Valle, of Houston, Sister in law Guadalupe Contreras, of Baytown, brothers, John Contreras; wife Mary, of Baytown, Manuel Contreras; wife Sulema, of LaPorte, Albert Contreras; wife Gladys, of Baytown.
He was blessed with 10 grandchildren, including Kathy Rios Young, Rodney Rios, Jerry Rios, Candice Rios Chapa; husband Leo, Beverly Gill; husband Matt, Cristen Thompson; husband Clint, Aaron Delgado; wife Lissette, Alisha Rodriguez; husband Ricky, Christina Contreras, Catherine Contreras Jones; husband Robby; 20 great-grandchildren, Josh Young, Zachary Young, Seth Young, Marcus Chapa, Julian Chapa, Layla Chapa, Lindsey Reyes, Kimberly Villareal, Kaden Delgado, Bryce Delgado, Addison Delgado, Taylor Salazar, Kassandra Contreras Worley; husband Derek, Ricky Rodriguez Jr., Nikolas Rodriguez, Sofia Rodriguez, Presley Jones, Greyson Jones, Elizabeth Jones and Madaline Jones; and 2 great-great-grandchildren, Cheyanne Young and Asher Worley. Honoring Jose as pallbearers are Taylor Salazar, Zachary Young, Rodney Rios, Aaron Delgado, Michael Villarreal, Venancio Contreras, Kimberly Villareal, and Ray Del Valle. Honorary pallbearers are John Contreras, Manuel Contreras, Albert Contreras, Martin Olivarez, Ralph Rios, Nikolas Rodriguez, Matt Gill, Leo Chapa, Jerry Rios, Derek Worley, Kaden Delgado, James Pender, Ricky Rodriguez, Robby Jones, and Lawrence Lowe.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 3rd of April, Earthman Baytown Funeral Home, 3919 Garth Road in Baytown with a rosary to be recited at seven o’clock, with Deacon Rudy Venegas officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial honoring Champ is to be celebrated at eleven o’clock on Thursday, the 4th of April, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1124 Beech Street in Baytown with Father Jesus Lizalde officiating. Interment will follow at Sterling White Cemetery, 11011 Crosby Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, Tx. 77562
