Jose "Joe" Galvan

In high school he excelled in all sports and was named pep squad sweetheart his senior year. With a track scholarship to Pan American University, he scored a record 29 points in a freshman basketball game. He also won first and second place medals in 1-mile and 2-mile races in state competitions.

After joining the Air Force, Joe and Joanne (aka) Eloise Johnston wed. They traveled together to duty stations at Cheyenne, WY; 3 places in Japan; and Barksdale, LA. Joe played basketball on a very successful Air Force team while in Japan. Four years later, he left the military and the couple moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. The two quickly became devoted lifetime fans of UT sports. Joe was also a member of the Kappa PSI service fraternity.

Upon graduation, they moved to San Antonio, where Joe began a 37-year career with American National Insurance Company, and Eloise started her 37-years of teaching at Lanier High School. He won numbers awards with ANICO and loved his work. He enjoyed meeting and greeting people in various languages. He was charismatic, without making any effort. He was quite a helpmate and when other men helped Eloise, his favorite expressions was, “You are a gentleman and a scholar.”

He retired to be with his wife after the 9/11 tragedy. They began to travel all over the world, making 76 cruises and visiting 85 countries. They rode elephants, ate live shrimp in Thailand, and Joe walked the snowy Great Wall of China. He enjoyed parasailing in several counties and made a good friends wherever they went. Many delightful experiences!

When in town, Joe often played daytime bingo at Alamo Hills Bingo Hall. Many players professed a deep friendship and love for him. He reciprocated by bringing them small gifts from the various places he visited. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church for 60 years. As well, he belonged to various veterans’ groups.

Joe died on January 28 from a variety of illnesses, including pneumonia and cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family, including his nephews and niece who flew in from CA. He is preceded in death by his son, Joseph Galvan, and son-in-law, Bill Sheridan. He leaves behind his devoted wife: his daughters, Gloria (Gigi) Stinson and her husband, Rob; and Anne Sheridan; granddaughters, Shannon Stinson and Kristina Galvan, and grandson, Kyle Stinson. His siblings are brother, Joseph Guadalupe (Emma) Galvan and half-sister, Flora (Leobardo) Gaytan. He is also survived by two great grandchildren and numerous close relatives and friends. He LOVED all of them very much.

The family would like to thank you for the many prayers, cards, gifts, calls, love and support you have given to Joe and the family. Many thanks to the medical caregivers during the past seven months, especially Mary Powell.

All services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. Thursday, February 09th, visitation will be held from 5-6pm for family and 6-7pm for other guests, followed by a rosary. On Friday, February 10th, a celebration of Joe’s life will be held at noon, followed by the burial and mariachi serenade, as he wished. A reception will follow the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas More School Guardian Angel Fund, 4427 Moana Dr., San Antonio, TX 78218 or the charity of your choice.