He is preceded in death by his sisters Maureen Gonzalez, Debbie Yrle, and Phyllis Canales; parents, Jose and Clara Canales; and brother-in-law, Jack Terrell. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Grace Canales; daughter, Jennifer Canales; son, Joe H Canales II; daughter-in-law, Natalie Garcia; granddaughter, Grace Maricela Canales; grandson, Joe Henry Canales III; sister, Cindy Terrell; brother, Jeff Canales; brothers-in-law, Roman Gonzalez and Robert Yrle, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors as a camp counselor at the YMCA while in high school. He served in the Marine Corps from 1968-1969 during the Vietnam War and earned several medals including: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Badge and Purple Heart Medal.
Joe worked with Southwestern Bell Phone Company for over 30 years, during which time he made many lifelong friends whom he enjoyed keeping in touch with after retirement. Joe was considered by all who knew him as a gentle soul with a servant’s heart and a witty sense of humor. He was a protective and caring husband, dad, brother, uncle and friend, often dropping everything to help someone in need. Joe loved planning out family trips down to the last detail. Many happy family memories were made on these trips. He was a dog lover, often taking his granddogs for truck rides and keeping a special stash of dog treats in his desk. His greatest joy was the arrival of his grandchildren. He would play with them for hours, talking to them in secret granddad languages. All who knew him loved Joe and he will be deeply missed.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 4411 Moana Dr, Wednesday, February 24, 2021 with a 11:30am rosary and a 12:00pm funeral mass. Interment services will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, March 8th, 2021 at 9:45am.
In honor of Joe’s kind, giving heart, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his memory to the San Antonio Food Bank.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18