Joseph Davila Jr.

Our beloved brother, father, uncle, and friend, Joseph Davila Jr. passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on the fourth day of September 2026. Joe, the eldest of seven siblings, was born in San Antonio Texas on May 6th 1946 and went to eternal rest after fighting a courageous battle with cancer and a recent catastrophic fall. Through it all he never complained. He was a true warrior. Joe attended Mount Sacred Heart and St. Paul Catholic schools. Joe was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and later became an Eagle Scout, the highest and most prestigious recognition a scout can achieve. He later attended Central Catholic High School for two years before graduating from Peacock Military Academy, where he excelled in his studies, played Varsity Football, and received a Military Training Certificate from the National Defense Cadet Corps. After graduating in 1964 from Peacock, Joe attended several institutions of higher learning including: Trinity University, California Polytechnic State University, The University of Texas, New Mexico State, and received his Bachelors from Texas State University.

Joe began a lucrative and rewarding career with The Texas Department of Human Services where he received numerous awards and recognition for his dedication and contributions. After retiring from the State, he continued to advocate for the marginalized and elderly in San Antonio and South Texas and took on positions with AACOG and La Estrella Home Health Care. During this time in Joe’s busy career, he somehow managed to work as a sports official for The United States Soccer Federation, The National Federation of High School Officials, and The Texas Association of Sports Officials. In this capacity he officiated High School Football, Volleyball, Softball, Baseball and Soccer. He also officiated a few games at the collegiate level, as well as on the professional level. Joe remained active in sports and training for practically his entire life. He worked out five days a week at The D.R. Semmes Family YMCA at TriPoint, where you would find him with his close buddies every morning. Whether or not they were actually working out or just talking is a different story. He even worked out when he was going through chemotherapy. He was a fighter. Our brother was a very interesting and intelligent person who loved to read. He particularly enjoyed discussing sports, politics, and history. He was excited and passionate about the future of our city and was saddened that he would not be around to see it for himself. We are going to miss him dearly.

Joseph is preceded in death by his loving parents, Joe and Helen Davila, his brothers Michael Edward and Charles Christian Davila, and his childhood sweetheart and former wife, Mary Margaret Davila. Joe is survived by his daughter Heather Denise Davila, brothers George Davila (Jacqueline), Roland Davila (Maria Antonieta), Edward James Davila (Suzie), his sister Linda Dolores Davila (Enrique), and sister-in-law Diana Davila. Nieces: Andrea Davila, Leslie Tagaras (David) Cynthia Marek (Anthony), Analyssa Davila, Daniele Acevedo (Justin). Nephews: Richard Guerra, Carlos Cristian Davila (Amber), Roland Davila Jr., Matthew Davila (Paulina), Michael Davila Jr., Arthur Garza (Theresa), and Anthony Garza. Great nephews: Christian Davila and Anthony Julian Davila. Great niece: Maggie Davila, along with numerous cousins. His close childhood and lifetime friends, Dr. Cesar Garcia, Retired Texas District Judge, David Berchelmann, and Charlie Gonzalez, Former United States Representative. Our family would like to thank the amazing doctors and nurses at MD Anderson in Houston, and University Health Hospital in San Antonio for their compassionate and excellent care of our brother Joseph.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary, with a rosary to follow at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Scouting America Alamo Area Council.