Jose Francisco Guerra Obituary (1939 - 2022)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jose "Joe" Francisco Guerra on August 27, 2022. Joe was born on June 10, 1939, in Roma, TX to the late Francisco Guerra and Carlota Ramirez Guerra. He was the eldest of two sons. In 1948 he became the head of household at the age of nine when his father passed away. He helped his family by shining shoes in downtown Mission, TX and by taking other odd jobs. He used to say you could buy a lot with a nickel back in the day. He graduated from Mission High School in 1958, then served in the United States Air Force between 1960 to 1968. While in basic training in Fort Worth, TX he met Linda Gay Baker whom he married and together raised three children. During his tour of duty Joe was stationed in South Korea from 1962 to 1964. Joe Guerra was in the import and export business with his brother Victor Guerra having founded their own U.S. Customs Broker agency named Victor M. Guerra Inc in the early 1970's. They specialized in imports and exports of all types of commodities including fresh perishables, manufactured goods and worldwide bonded merchandise. Both brothers also founded States Duty Free stores and subsequently they became partners in UETA Duty Free stores when they merged their interest in their store in the late 80's. Joe was a successful businessman and a workaholic always arriving first to the office before anyone else. He also owned and operated a Subway Restaurant in the 90’s. Joe was a professional boxing and wrestling promotor helping to bring wrestling to the Valley with likes of famous Mexican wrestlers Mil-Mascaras, El Santo, Blue Demin and of course the Heel wrestlers. Joe loved gambling and traveled to Las Vegas many times a year trying his good luck and skill at the high roller table games. He also enjoyed watching pro boxing matches in Las Vegas as close to the ring side as possible. Joe was an avid hunter, golfer, sports enthusiast and comedian at times. During the company Christmas parties he invited large crowds of customers, vendors and friends and he would do his stand-up comedy routine rolling out the jokes one right after another without allowing the crowd to catch their breath from laughter. Those were very memorable and joyful happy times. Joe was a great son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, friend and mentor. He was very generous, and we will miss his infectious smile, positivity and optimism. He was an inspirational role model to many, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 37 years Linda Gay Baker; a brother Victor M. Guerra; and a great granddaughter Emeree Valdez. He is survived by his children David (Angela) Guerra, Diana (Joe) Arevalo and Daniel (Jessica) Guerra; his companion and business partner Gladys Omedi Ramirez; his grandchildren, James (Morgan) Arevalo, Amanda Arevalo, Kimberly (Erik) Valdez, David Alexander Guerra, Dylan (Karina) Guerra, Kathleen Guerra, Samuel Guerra and Roman Arevalo; great grandchildren Maximillian and Madeline Arevalo, Kaleb Guerra, Jacquelyn and Avery Reyes , Kayden Valdez, Cory and Trevor Guerra. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mission with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. A chapel service will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, September 2, 2022 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home Chapel in mission with burial to follow at Valley Memorial Garden. The family would like to thank you all for the amazing and caring comments we have received from those people that know Joe Guerra and family.