Mando, as his family called him, grew up in El Paso, Texas. He was a wonderful big brother to his 2 brothers and 1 sister, Robert, Margarita and Ruben.
Dad met the love of his life, Josephine Ybarra when they were both 15 years old. They married on December 21, 1968. Mando and Josie were blessed with 4 children: 3 daughters and 1 son. Christina Marie, Beatrice Irene, Jose Armando Jr and Rachel Ann.
Dad and Mom lived in California in their early married years, before moving their family back to El Paso, Texas. Dad instilled in his kids and grandchildren the value of hard and honest work. He was a very skilled craftsman and car mechanic. Dad could build a complete room in a day, from the ground up. And with a little bit of elbow grease and ingenuity, he could fix any car that was brought to him. No matter what the issue was. Dad worked for 33 years as overseer of Maintenance at Lydia Patterson Institute, starting in August of 1982 and retiring in 2015. He was a valuable employee and received many accolades and acknowledgements of his achievements for 33 years of dedicated service to LPI. Many students who worked with Dad, during summer internships while attending LPI, came to visit him long after their graduations to thank him for being a mentor to them and for teaching them invaluable trades that they were able to apply in their lives as adults. He was well respected for showing genuine, tough love to his students.
Dad and Mom were married for 45 years and only her passing in 2013 could separate them. Dad’s faith and love of God was evident in how he felt about his wife and how he raised his family. He instilled in his children core values of love, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Dad’s unconditional love for our mom, “his honey”, continued until his passing on February 5, 2024. He spoke lovingly of her often and the only comfort we have is in knowing, they are once again reunited. Matthew 19:6 – “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Our beloved Dad is survived by his 4 children: Christina Stewart (grandchild Joseph); Beatrice (Jose) Maese (grandchildren Jacob, Olivia, Sofia & Amelia); Jose Armando (Erica) Molina Jr (grandchildren Michael, Cynthia, Alberto, Brianna and Mandito); Rachel (Shawn) McMillen, his siblings: Robert (MaryAnn) Molina; Margarita (Jesus) Payan. As well as many loved nieces, nephews, cousins.
Dad went home to the Lord on February 5, 2024. He will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife, Josie on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his parents Micaela and Jose Luis, his baby brother Ruben (Juana) Chaffino and his wife, Josephine.
We love you Dad. We miss you and Mom. Your love will always live on through us.
Visitation for Jose will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with Rosary at 7:00 PM, at Funeraria del Angel Restlawn, 8817 Dyer Street, El Paso, Texas 79904. Funeral mass will be Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 9025 Diana Dr., El Paso, Texas 79904. Graveside service will follow Friday, at 11:00 AM at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 8700 Dyer Street, El Paso, Texas 79904.
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting dignitymemorial.com. Services are under the care of Funeraria del Angel Restlawn.
