Except for his time in the Army, Jose lived his entire life on the same corner, in the same neighborhood. His parish church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is where all of his life’s milestones have been celebrated. To assume this meant it hindered his world would be in contrast to the life, family, and community that made him proud to remain. Jose grew up with faithful and hardworking parents, and these values were instilled in him at an early age. This laid the foundation for his long career, which included service to several parishes in addition to his own.
Always active in his community, Jose was known for many things including his family’s food booth at neighborhood fiestas, his award-winning floats in the Riverfest Sundown parade, and the Mexican-American golf tournament he created and ran for 25 years.
Jose was well known for his superior craftsmanship, and evidence of his work can be found all over the city of Wichita. He was a Master Electrician, but also a skilled builder who remodeled and expanded his home multiple times over the years. His work garnered him an excellent reputation with other craftsmen, and he built a thriving company. Due to his skills and faith, he was asked to contribute his services in building the Lord’s Diner – time and talent he was happy to give. Known in equal measure for having a project, as well as the absolute best way to accomplish it, no one was ever in doubt of his opinion on any given matter.
As the fifth of twelve children Jose took the role of big brother to heart, and was supportive of his siblings while forming the basic blueprint of how he would head his own family. He was preceded in death by four of his sisters, and is survived by five brothers and two sisters. He and Mary, his wife of almost 56 years, had five children and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael, but was surrounded by the rest of his family during his last hours. Their family includes Deborah (Keith) Fulton, Michael’s sons Michael and Alejandro, Carolyn (Dennis) Wetta, and their children Jack, Nate, and Isabel, Jose (Hollie), and their children Gwendolyn and Josephine, Mario (Shayla), and their children Cruz, Catalina, and Oscar.
A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 2351 N. Market St., Wichita, KS 67219. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the same location on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Committal will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jose’s memory to Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, 2351 N. Market St., Wichita, KS 67219; or to the Colon Cancer Coalition – Wichita, 5666 Lincoln Dr., Ste. 270, Edina, MN 55436. Please put his name in the memo of check donations.
