Jose Maria Quiroz

Jose M. Quiroz, also known as ‘Chepe’, a resident of Gonzales, LA, passed away peacefully in his home that he shared with his life partner of twenty years, Lolita Currera, on December 4th, 2023. He was 76 years old.

Jose was born to Antonio Quiroz and Natividad Carias on June 22, 1947 in Puerto Cortes, Honduras. He immigrated to the United States at the age of eight with his mother and step-father, Arnaldo ‘Naldo/Naido’ Alemen, where he would grow up in Mid-City New Orleans and attend Warren Easton Sr. High School. He followed his beloved stepfather’s footsteps by joining the US Merchant Marines as part of the Seafarers International Union. He worked at Avondale Shipyard and as a boilermaker/welder in the Boilermaker International Union before joining the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), where he worked for 17 years in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and Vieux Carre Districts, and as a Homicide Detective. He retired from Valero Refinery in Norco, LA as a Security Shift Supervisor in 2008. When his children were young, he absolutely loved being a scout leader and all things scout-related.He was an avid football fan and spent weekends with family enjoying the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints play for their prospective championship titles. He spent a significant amount of time outside manicuring his lawn and nurturing his personal “rain forest” - all of which will miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by his mother, step-father, and his cousin, Rosa Medina.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Sue Quiroz, and their two children, son Christopher K. Quiroz (Kimberly) and daughter Teresa D.Quiroz Vuillemot, and her children, Jessie T. Vuillemot, and Bonnie Vuillemot, as well as Kimberly’s children, his step-grandchildren, Patrick L. Thompson, R. E. Thompson, and step-great grandson, Cash L. Thompson. He is also survived by Lolita Currera, and her children, daughter Sheilla Ingram (Michael), and her sons, Dustin L. Batson (Madison,) and Austin J. Ingram, and son Michael C. Wells (Tina,) and their children, Alexis W. Aumagamanaia (Samhitsi), and Hanna S. Wells.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the Westside/Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home. Family is asked to arrive at 9:30 am and friends to arrive at 10:00a. Catholic Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm in the Chapel.