Died 17 December 2018, at home surrounded by his family.
Joe was born on 10 June 1923. He was raised in Marquez, TX. He joined the Army and served in WWII as a Tanker with the 44th Tank Battalion. The Tank unit was disbanded and later was reassigned to Paratroop Element.
After returning from the war he met Edna Martinez in Mitchell, Nebraska. They married in 1948 and had four children. Josie (Rudy), James (Pam), Jack (Lisa), Jerry (Diane).
Joe was a master auto body repairman and painter. He was also proficient in welding and upholstery. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his passion was playing his guitar. Joe and Edna spent almost all their lives in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. They moved to Texas in 2014 to live with his son, Jack and Lisa. Joe enjoyed sitting on his porch and appreciated the beautiful weather, the flowers and watching the birds on the feeders. Joe was a life member of the VFW and Guadalupe church. Joe had seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son James and daughter Josephine.