Joe Olivo, Jr.

Joe H. Olivo Jr., 77, went home to our Lord and Savior on December 27, 2019. Joe died from complications of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death. Joe was a resident of Windsor Calallen Nursing Home in Corpus Christi, Texas. Joe was born on September 20, 1942 in Mathis, Texas to Jose Medrano Olivo Sr. and Cipriana Benavidez Hernandez. Joe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mathis, Texas, where he served as an altar boy. Joe graduated from Mathis High School in 1961. Joe briefly attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1971, Joe met Maria Teresa Ybarra, whom he later married on September 16, 1972 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Joe and Maria Teresa were blessed with four children: Jose Alberto, Julie Ann, Mark Allen and Elisa Marie. Joe was a long time member of Saint Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Joe was employed by the Corpus Christi Army Depot in the early 1970’s and later worked for the United States Postal Service. During his time with the United States Postal Service, Joe was a shop steward and member of the American Postal Workers Union. He fought tirelessly for the rights of his fellow postal workers. Joe retired from the United States Postal Service after 33 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement, Joe was employed by Tuloso Midway and West Oso Independent School Districts as a bus driver. Joe enjoyed sports and coached in various youth sport leagues while his children were actively involved. Joe enjoyed taking trips to casinos with his wife Maria, as he enjoyed playing blackjack. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Medrano Olivo, Sr. and Cipriana Martinez, brothers Luis Olivo, Abelardo Pena and Pablo Ricardo (“Ricky”) Olivo. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 48 years, Maria Teresa Olivo, his loving children Jose Alberto Olivo (Nina), Julie Ann Olivo, Mark Allen Olivo, Elisa Marie Valdemar (Aristeo Jr.), brothers Arnold Lopez, Joe Olivo, Jr., Ismael Olivo, Ruben Olivo, sisters Yolanda Olivo, Josie Olivo, Alicia Olivo, Diana Olivo, Sylvia Olivo-Sherman, Susan Olivo-Cade, Gloria Olivo-Haun and Sylvia Hinojosa. Joe is also survived by his grandchildren, Victoria Elena Olivo, Marcos Antonio Valdemar, Bethany Joy Santoy, Jim O’Brien, and Rebecca O’Brien. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas, on Thursday, January 2, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning promptly at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, January 3, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter Prince, of the Apostles Catholic Church, 3901 Violet Road, Corpus Christi, Texas. Joe will be cremated and his ashes will be interned at a later date. Joe’s family wishes to express a very special thank you to the staff at Windsor Calallen Nursing Home, as well as Harbor Hospice, for the incredible care that was given to him. Each and every one of you are amazing at your jobs, a job that not everyone can do. You all made sure that he was able to die with dignity, peace and comfort. Each and every one of you have been a blessing to us all. We will be forever grateful.