Joe Guadalupe "Lupito" Herrera age 93, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.  He was born in San Antonio into a family of thirteen siblings (three brothers and nine sisters).  He began a lifetime of hard work at an early age to help support the family.  During World War II, Joe joined the US Navy, serving on a number of Merchant Marine ships in a Naval security detail and ultimately on the USS Missouri as a Gunners Mate.  Joe was on board the USS Missouri when the armistice with Japan was signed ending the war.  At the end of the war, Joe was honorably discharged from the US Navy.

Several years later Joe decided to enlist in the Army.  While stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Joe met, fell in love with and married Lola Ruth Johnson.  Ruth had two small children; Sandra Lee (age 4) and Grover Lynn (age 3) whom Joe would ultimately legally adopt.

Joe's service in the US Army primarily included artillery assignments domestically and overseas.  One exception was Joe's assignment to Texas Western College (known today as The University of Texas, El Paso) in 1954 where he served as Military Science advisor/instructor.    Joe retired in El Paso at the rank of First Sergeant after having served in two wars: World War II while serving in the US Navy and the Korean Conflict while serving in the US Army.  After being Honorably Discharged and retiring from the Army, Joe and Ruth stayed in El Paso where he served as Military Science advisory/instructor to several El Paso area high schools and focused his efforts toward growing his construction/salvage business, making many friends and satisfied customers in both El Paso and Juarez, Mexico.  Joe acquired the nickname "Lupito" and eventually named his business "Lupito" Enterprises.

Even after all the moving they did while Joe was in the US Army, they were not through yet.  Joe and Ruth moved to San Antonio in 1992 to be close to Joe's family and then to Duncan, OK in 2003 to be close to Ruth's family.  After Joe's beloved wife, Ruth, passed away in late 2016, Joe focused on leaving an enduring memorial by which Ruth would be remembered.  Following the dedication of the "Lola Ruth (Johnson) Herrera" pavilion area (including memorial benches for each of her five sisters) in Central High, Oklahoma, Joe made one final move – back to his hometown of San Antonio.

Joe began taking care of others early in life by sending money home from his US Navy pay to help the family. Throughout their lives Joe and Ruth worked hard and were generous in their giving and service to countless family members, friends and causes. Joe also served many years as a Lion's club member and ultimately as Club President.  He also helped Ruth in beginning the first women's Lion's program.

The military was important to Joe coupled with his belief in God and a daily reciting of the Lord's Prayer.  Joe consistently tried to be better each day. As a result, he was able to accomplish much.

Joe Guadalupe Herrera was a hard-worker, patriot, frequent benefactor, skilled businessman, faithful husband, tough but protective father, and loyal family member.  Family and friends comment about his passing by asserting, "Joe Herrera was a good and honorable man."

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 67 years, Lola Ruth (Johnson) Herrera; his parents, Alejandro and Petra (Davila) Herrera; his siblings, Fernando Herrera, Arthur Herrera, Adolph Herrera, Josie Jameson, Rachel Cordero, Toni Jimenez, Bertha Sanchez, and Belia Burberg.  Joe is survived by his son, Lynn (Marsha) Herrera and daughter, Sandra Lee Pommerening (Ed); grandchildren, Emily Herrera and John K. Frei IV (Susan); siblings, Linda Bader, Hope Dugenske, Gloria Zamorano, and Irene Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin on Tuesday, August 20, at 5:00 PM at

The Angelus Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

with the Rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM.

Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday, August 21, at 9:45 AM at the

San Fernando Cathedral

115 West Main Plaza

San Antonio, TX, 78205

Interment will follow at

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

at 11:15 AM with military honors

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the

Hill Country Youth Ranch

P.O. Box 67

Ingram, Texas, 78025

or

any other charity of your choice