Joe Arana

Jose "Joe" Morales Arana

He was much beloved as a husband, father and friend. Jose "Joe" Morales Arana loved to travel to visit family and friends, and was familiar with airports throughout the country. It was following a two-month junket to Arizona, Florida and Austin that he came home to rest. Mr. Arana died on Monday, May 3, 2010, following a short and sudden hospitalization and illness.
A week after driving home from Austin, Joe suffered a debilitating diagnosis of bleeding between the brain and cranium. Surgery followed the next day, with a week-long hospital stay. While recuperating at home in McCamey, he suffered a major setback, and succumbed in the morning.
He is survived by his wife, Mary C. Arana of McCamey, his children, Rose Mary Luna, of Lockhart, Texas, and her husband, Domingo; Joe Arana, Jr., of Leander, Texas, and his wife, Nelida "Nellie"; Martin Arana, of McCamey, and his wife, Betty; Mary Martha Arana, of McCamey; Mary Lou Cherry, of Christoval, Texas, and her husband, Alan; Raul C. Arana, of Roswell, New Mexico; Robert C. Arana, of Austin, Texas; Mary Lupe Arana, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Mary Eva Perrin, of Grandview, Texas, and her husband, Joe; and Adam Arana, of Phoenix, Arizona, and his wife, Tonya. Joe's grandchildren were the joy of his life, and they include: Nicole Padilla, Roman Padilla, Analeicia "Ana" Arana, Crystal Gasdaskas and her husband, David, John Gabriel Arana, Joshua Arana, John William Arana-Cook, Rebekah Arana-Cook, Lauren Cherry, Thomas Arana, Esther Arana, Luke Arana, Kristen Arana, Lauren Katherine Arana, Jordan Perrin, EJ Perrin, Isaiah Arana, and Alex Arana. Great-grandchildren include Kya Arana, Jaden Arana and Jozlyn Arana.
Joe was very devoted to his church, First United Methodist Church of McCamey. On Sunday, the day before his passing, Joe was driven to his church, to submit his tithes, since he had been out of town for several Sunday's. His pastor, Dr. Charles Alkula, will lead the funeral service, which is scheduled for Friday, May 7, 2010, at 10 o'clock in the morning, at First Baptist Church of McCamey, on 820 Burleson Avenue. He spent Sunday afternoon with his wife, Mary, praising and worshiping God, with Reverend Luis Rodriguez and his wife, Viola, of Iglesia Apostolica, who were his nephew and niece.
His daughter, Rose Mary, remembers that his first night following surgery, he spent quoting scriptures and talking about how his grandchildren needed to draw closer to the Lord. He also encouraged his sons while recuperating in the hospital, exhorting them to continue attending Church and praying for their families.
Joe served as a Municipal Court Judge in McCamey, and worked on the campaigns of several state and federal elected officials, including Congressman Solomon Ortiz, Congressman Dr. Henry Cuellar, Congressman Albert Bustamante, Congressman Mike Conaway, and Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. He traveled to Washington, D.C. on several occasions, with his daughter, Mary Lupe, a lobbyist, where he was introduced to national leaders and officials. Joe met four U. S. presidents and was a loyal American. He regularly wore an American flag pin on his suit lapel.
He was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and played professional baseball in the West Texas league in the 50s, and was a pitcher. He was also an avid sportsman and followed all his children and grandchildren's athletic careers. Joe worked for the Sante Fe Railway as a track supervisor, and was with that railroad for 43 years. He was President of the Brotherhood of Way Maintenance union, and an active leader for decades. He had recently attended a railroad banquet in San Angelo, and met with dozens of friends and former co-workers.