Joseph Gerard Banales

Joseph Gerard Banales was born on December 15, 2000, 13 minutes before his twin Gabriella was born. From that day forward he was part of the duo called The Wonder Twins, until Saturday, April 15th, 2023 when his life was cut short by a senseless act of violence. Joseph’s parents – Margarito Banales III and Frances Szabo (Thomas Eckel), as well as his oldest brother Sandor Szabo, were the examples Joseph followed in pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming an Army Nurse.

Joseph was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank & Maria Szabo. He is survived by his brothers and sister, who are also all in the military; Krisztofer (Andrea) Banales, Nickolas Banales, Gabriella Banales and Matthew Banales, girlfriend Amy Bonilla, nephews Patrick & Owen Szabo and nieces Lucy Szabo & Veronica Banales, Uncles Jozsef Szabo, Matthew Banales (Maria), Aunts Maria Szabo, Ida Horvath (Brian), Erzsebet Szabo, Zsuzsa Szabo (Chris John), Monica Gomez (Jose Luis), Sarah Ramirez (Omar), Sandra Banales; numerous cousins, including Gabor, Tibor & Zsofia Horvath, Allison, Amber & Brandon Szabo and Godparents Ida & Brian Horvath and Lisa Amato.

Joseph attended Catholic School until his family moved to Germany, where he graduated with Honors from Ramstein High School. He was an accomplished saxophonist in the St. Anthony High School Jazz band and competed in numerous drill team and rifle team competitions while in high school. He was a student at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, where he was in the Nursing Program, ROTC and a Senator in Student Government. As a contracted cadet, he was on track to be commissioned into the Army, as a nurse, in December 2023. Joseph was proud to serve his country and was looking forward to helping so many as a nurse – that is who he was, someone who was always giving to everyone and in every community in which he lived.

The Szabo Banales family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider contributing to the C/CPT Joseph Gerard Banales Memorial Scholarship Fund at: Security Service Credit Union, Routing #314088637, Account #6876511070

A visitation for Joseph will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, followed by a rosary service from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. A funeral mass will occur Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Chapel of Incarnate Word, followed by a committal service at 12:00 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches, San Antonio, Texas 78266.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Szabo Banales family.