Joe V. Girard

Joe V. Girard, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and trusted friend to everyone who had the good fortune to be a part of his life, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on the evening of May 13th.

Throughout his life, his character epitomized a strong work ethic and kindness toward others that have transcended from generation to generation. Joe Girard's impact and legacy are uniquely defined by his calm demeanor and thoughtful leadership, which inspired so many to achieve success in life with respect, honesty, and integrity.

Born on November 12, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas, Joe was the youngest of six children of Fernando Girard and Beatrice V. Girard.

He is survived by his beautiful, loving wife Eva Marie Girard, daughters Iris Girard De La Rosa (Bob), Gisela Girard (Adolfo Aguilar), son Ferdinand Girard (Laura), daughters Eva Girard D' Antonio (Tim), Lucinda Girard Aparicio (Isaac), and his 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

His 73 years of marriage to Eva Marie is a testament to a true love story. They had an extraordinary legacy of love and care for one another, serving as great role models to all their children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, descendants of one of San Antonio's original Spanish settlers, and by his sisters, Victoria Girard Lozano, Hortense Girard San Miguel, Amelia Girard Martinez, and Beatrice Girard Mejia, as well as his only brother, Ferdinand Rudy Girard, who died while serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

A graduate of Brackenridge High School, he demonstrated an artistic gift recognized by his teachers, who encouraged him to pursue a career where he could use his talent. He took an apprenticeship with Brown Express and enrolled at the Warren Hunter School of Art and La Villita School of Art, where he perfected his craft. He began his distinguished career in 1954 at Lone Star Company, where he proudly received numerous awards throughout the years, including outstanding merchandiser in Texas for Hiram Walker Products and National Distillers Products Company. As one of the owners of the San Antonio branch of Lone Star Company, Joe consistently placed first in the statewide Old Crow contest as top merchandiser. In 1968, Texas Beverage News reported that a display Joe created of the HemisFair Tower, featuring a realistic revolving top, was lauded for its creativity and success. The HemisFair Tower display remained in place for the duration of the San Antonio World’s Fair in 1968. Joe’s outstanding creativity in merchandise displays was also featured in Southern Beverage Journal and other publications. He was also recognized with dozens of Gold and Silver Crow awards.

In 1976, Joe founded Girard Sign Company, where his entrepreneurial drive and artistic talents in commercial sign painting led to many decades of success becoming the preferred non-electrical sign company for many local and national customers, including property management companies, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. He was proud that Girard Sign Company was the only San Antonio sign company featured in SignCraft Magazine. His son, Ferdinand Girard, was the general manager and worked alongside his Dad for 41 years. In 1999, Joe achieved his dream of acquiring and owning a building for his business, which was located on Burleson Street near downtown.

Joe was a member of the American Marketing Association, serving on the Communications Committee. He was also a member of the Builders Exchange and the Alamo Executive Club.

For his family, he was extraordinarily caring and was all about traditions. Thanksgiving and Christmas were his favorite holidays, and tamale-making was the orchestrated family event he was most proud of. His tamales were absolutely the best! Watching sports was his favorite pastime, and everyone knew and shared his enthusiasm as an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, and San Antonio Spurs.

Joe and his wife never missed a special moment in their grandchildren's lives. Whether it was a recital, musical, band concert, graduation, football game, or grandparents' day for his grandchildren living in San Antonio, Austin, and Sugar Land, Texas, they were always there, cheering them on with pride and excitement. He also loved the University of Texas Longhorn Band and watching his eldest grandchild perform at football games and in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade.

Named in honor of St. Joseph, he was known for his quiet leadership and fidelity to God, making him a role model for his family. Joe was a devout Catholic throughout his life, instilling a strong faith in his children. He was always active in the parishes he belonged to, beginning in the early days of his married life as a parishioner of St. Joseph South San, St. Cecilia’s, St. Mary Magdalen, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes, and for many years, at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Joe was devoted to attending daily mass as part of the Saintly Sixers at St. Matthew’s. He was involved in the Cursillo Movement, Men’s Club, and the ACTS Ministry, serving as a retreat director and team member for numerous ACTS retreats. He was also a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, where he frequently volunteered to feed the homeless.

He enjoyed speaking and improved his skills through Toastmasters, where he met many people who became friends and even customers. He was committed to inspiring young students, and in doing so, he became a mentor for the Slam Dunk for Life Field Trip Program, founded by his cardiologist, Dr. Edwin “Eli” Whitney, whose mission was to provide life skills to at-risk youth in San Antonio. He welcomed 8th-grade students from Edgewood Independent School District into his place of business so they could spend part of their day discussing career opportunities, addressing the social and economic issues they face, and making a positive impact on their lives.

Joe enjoyed the best of life. From leading the family tradition of making homemade tamales to joining the fun on the dance floor at his grandson's wedding in April, Joe made the most of every moment he had with his family and friends. In honor of our grand patriarch, we will always follow his inspiration of being kind, honest, and caring to everyone. We all love him and will miss him dearly, our one and only Papa Joe.

Our family is grateful to the caregivers over the past 3 years and to the loving care recently provided at Care with Dignity Assisted Living.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas, with Visitation at 9:15 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Fr. Eric Ritter, followed by a Reception in the adjacent Parish Hall. A private Family Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Pallbearers include grandsons Jason De La Rosa, Christopher D’Antonio, Nolan Aparicio, Luke Aparicio, and nephews Frank Salas, Jr., and Victor Mejia.

Honorary Pallbearers include sons-in-law Robert De La Rosa, Adolfo Aguilar, Tim D’Antonio, and Isaac Aparicio; his nephews Henry San Miguel, Charles Ferdinand Sanchez, Joe Albert Garcia, Jr., Joe Girard Mejia, and Robert Mejia; and his nephews who preceded him in death, the late Dr. Anthony Girard Lozano, Dr. Joseph Girard San Miguel, and Albert Sanchez.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Matthew Catholic Church.