Jose "Joe" Maya

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in Hanford, CA. Joe was born on February 6, 1933 in Brawley, CA to

Celso and Maria Maya.

Joe P. Maya proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War on board the

U.S.S. Uhlmann DD-687. He received a degree from the University of California, Davis in

Agriculture. Joe was elected for 2 terms in the Brawley City Council and was the first Mexican-

American Mayor for the City of Brawley. He was elected to the Reef-Sunset School District

Board for 18 years plus and served as president several times. Joe was a founding member of El

Pueblo, People for Clean Air and Water. He was a past member of the Avenal Rotary Club and

served as president, attending the Rotary Club International Convention in London. Joe's work

life began over 70 years ago as a farmer and grower in the Imperial Valley and eventually moved

to the San Joaquin Valley. He enjoyed creating plant maps, walking the fields, checking on the

seed growth and harvest time. He also enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren to the fields

and teaching them all how to drive a truck at a young age. His main crops were iceberg and

romaine lettuce, melons, and tomatoes. He employed many people over the years and was well

known and respected in the farming community.

Joe's favorite holidays included, Fourth of July with a big street display of fireworks and a

neighborhood barbecue. He loved cooking a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner, which was

alway juicy and delicious. Gathering with family and many friends made the holidays special.

Joe was special to us, he was a good man with a great sense of humor and a role model to his

family, friends and community. He was always willing to help out when he could. Being a hard

working man, he was able to achieve many firsts of his time and was able to provide a beautiful

life for his wife and children.

Joe married the love of his life Esperanza Grijalva Maya on November 9, 1963 and were married

for 56 years. He is adored, loved and survived by his wife, Esperanza Grijalva Maya, children;

Cynthia Maya, Elisa Maya, Joe G. Maya and Daisy Maya-Gaona, son in law; Edmidio Gaona,

Grandchildren; Jesus Maya (wife Angela), Celso Maya-Gaona, Aaron Maya-Gaona, Andrew

Maya-Gaona, Joe Elias Maya, Joe G. Maya II, Thalia Maya and great grandchildren; Kylie, Ace,

Joaquin, Ryan, Kairi and Isabelle. Joe also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Celso and Maria Maya; his sisters; Anna Maria Maya,

Louisa (Maya) Lee and brother, John P. Maya.

We will cherish the fond memories we shared with him. Joe was highly respected and dearly loved by those who knew him and will be greatly missed.