Jose "Joe" Guillermo Varela, Jr.

José Guillermo Varela, Jr. (known to all as Joe, Uncle Joe, or Papi) was born May 2, 1925 in Juarez, Mexico. His family lived in El Paso, Texas and frequently traveled back and forth across the border. He was the only one of his siblings to be born in Juárez; the rest were born in El Paso. His parents, José Guillermo Varela Sr. and Guadalupe Caro Varela, had five children: Mariano Julio Varela; José Guillermo Varela Jr.; Aurelia Varela; Guadalupe Varela; and Oscar Varela.

Joe left home September 1943 at age 18 to enlist with the Army during WWII. He served for two-and-a-half years, until March 1946.

After leaving the service, he attended the University of Texas at El Paso, where he earned an electrical engineering degree. His work as an electrical engineer allowed him to travel extensively, including to Europe and the Middle East. One assignment allowed the whole family to live in Spain for seven months. For many years, he also enjoyed volunteering as a leader of St. Rose of Lima Boy Scout Troop 40.

Joe is survived by his dedicated wife of 26 years, Ann Schriever; three children by first wife, Annette Blackwood Varela: Joseph William Varela and wife, Jennifer Varela; Michael Marion Varela, and Patricia Anne Varela; grandchildren: Michael Joseph Varela, his mother, Debbie Walker Garcia, and his wife, Monica Varela; David Joseph Varela; and Daniel William Varela. During the last year of his life, Joe was delighted to meet his great-grandson, Tristan Varela (son of Michael and Monica Varela).

He was also survived by many other family members and friends, including his in-laws: Sandy Schriever; John Schriever and his wife, Dana Schriever; and Laura Schriever Stewart and her husband, Billy Stewart. He was funny and corny “Uncle Joe” to all the children in his wife’s family: Hayley, Max, Nick, Sarah, Emma, Aubrey, and Ellie.

The family invites all to attend a memorial mass on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 2:00pm at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, Houston, Texas 77018.