Joe Medrano

Joe Medrano, 81, made his final transition to his heavenly life on Sunday, October 19, 2014, at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, Texas.

Joe was a lifetime resident of Brownsville, Texas, having been born and raised in the El Jardin community. Joe graduated from El Jardin High School in 1950. He was quite athletic participating in both football and basketball. Joe was also voted most handsome in the class. After graduation he started college, but Joe was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict was stationed at Ft. Hood. After his service to his country, Joe returned to Brownsville, where he reenrolled in college and in 1956 married Hortencia Tamayo, who would be his wife for 58 years. He then worked at Delta Machine Co. for 30 years, before setting out on his own and establishing Rio Bravo Sales in 1979, which is still in business today.

Always true to his roots, Joe served the El Jardin community by serving on the Board of the Brownsville Irrigation District for 42 years. He joined the Board in 1972. Joe became the President of the Board in 1977 and held that position until his passing.

Joe cherished his family and friends. At least two or three times a week, he would join his friends for morning coffee at Whataburger or at Gordons Bait and Tackle Shop. Friday nights found him cheering on his son Renes football team. Joe also enjoyed spending time with his family at Renes home, as well as visiting Joey and David wherever they were living.

Joe loved to travel and collect antiques but his true passion was gardening and he was blessed with a green thumb. Joe was very proud of his yard, where he was easily recognized by his nonlit cigar and his shovel.

Joe was fun loving and caring. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Joe was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed not only by his family and friends but by all those fortunate to have known him.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Antonia Medrano.

Joe is survived by his wife of 58 years, Hortencia T. Medrano three sons: Jorge Rene Ida, Jose Joey and David Arturo Medrano the two grandsons that were his pride and joy, J.R. and Joe David Medrano his siblings: Guadalupe M. Pime Hinojosa, Maria Medrano Benavidez, Beatriz Frank Streun, and Dr. Manuel Isabel Chavela Medrano PhD and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended members of the family.

Joe will lie in state starting at 12 Noon on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, in the East Chapel at DarlingMouser Funeral Home. The family will start to greet friends starting at 5:00 p.m. with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. A Funeral Liturgical Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, at St. Eugene de Mazenod Catholic Church, 5409 Austin Rd. in Brownsville. Interment will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Family members will serve as Joes pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Bazan, Jesus Castellano, Johnny Pineda, Bobby Rentfrow, Valentin Vasquez, The B.I.D. Board, the Gordons Bait and Tackle Crew, and the Whataburger Coffee Club.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
12 Noon to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
7:00 p.m.

Liturgical Funeral Service

St. Eugene de Mazenod Catholic Church
5409 Austin Road
Brownsville, TX  78521
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens
4464 Old Port Isabel Rd.
Brownsville, TX  78526