Manuel "Joe" Maldonado Jr.

Manuel “Joe” Maldonado Jr., 83, of El Paso, TX, passed away on January 2, 2026. Born on February 14, 1942 in Wichita Falls, TX and raised in North Platte, NE, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Dad was a hard-working and disciplined man. He worked briefly for the railroad before enlisting in the Army, in which he served for 25 years. It was during his time in the Army when he met his beloved wife of 44 years, Diana, while stationed at Fort Bliss. After retiring from the military, he returned to his academic endeavors and obtained his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He found great joy through his work as an educator, as well as his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. Our father always made time for his family, from exploring Europe while stationed in Germany to serving as a sports coach and Scoutmaster for us.

He is preceded in death by his wife Diana “Dee” Maldonado. He is survived by his three children, Manuel III (Melanie), Timothy (Brooke), and Molly (Julio), as well as his six grandchildren, Manuel IV, Ethan, Ileana, Lucy, Isabella and Christian. Visitation will be from 5-9pm, with a memorial service at 7pm on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N Carolina Dr. Funeral mass will be Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 300 Riverside Dr. at 9:30am. Interment will follow at 11:30am at Fort Bliss Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave.

Our father was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity, and humor. We find peace and comfort in knowing his legacy lives on in the way he lived his life, the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the memories we made that we’ll cherish forever. We love you, Dad.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

A visitation will be held at Hillcrest Funeral Home, located at 1060 North Carolina Dr., El Paso, Texas, 79915, on January 12, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A memorial service will take place at the same venue on January 12, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

The funeral service is scheduled for January 13, 2026, at 9:30 am at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 300 Riverside Dr., El Paso, Texas, 79915.

A graveside service will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX, 79906, USA, on January 13, 2026, at 11:00 am.