Joe G. Delgado

Joe George Delgado was called to be with his Lord on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 after a long battle from complications associated with diabetes. He was born in San Antonio to his parents, Jose G. Delgado and Annie Villarreal Lopez on Feb, 22, 1946. He attended St. Anne’s Catholic School where he served as an altar boy and then he attended Mark Twain Middle School. He was a graduate of L. W. Fox Tech High School in 1964 where he was very active in ROTC. It was there he learned structure and gained a heart for leadership roles that helped mold him into the great loving man he was.

During these teen years, he met the love of his life, Rose Martinez in his sophomore year. In December of their senior year, he asked her parents for her hand in marriage. Joe was a hard-working man. At a young age, he worked and saved for Rose’s engagement ring. They were married on September 19,1964.

After high school he worked as a welder at Reliable Battery and then he was an apprentice for Jet Engine Mechanics. He was a police officer with the Department of Defense Law Enforcement Officer from 1970-75. From 1978 through 1995 he owned Contractual Demolition & Salvage Inc. He was also a Police Sergeant Supervisor with the Department Federal Law Enforcement from 1985 to1995. From 1995 to 2001 he was a Combat Arms Instructor with the Dept. of Defense and then was a Superintendent of the Combat Arms School until 2001. He maintained his jewelry company after he retired from the Department of defense. His final position was as the Chief Safety and Compliance Officer with Halls Trucking of Texas and Halls & Sons Transport.

Joe served the Lord with passion and strength. He became curious about the sermons he was hearing on the radio from the pastor of Livingway Church. His curiosity led to visiting Greater Lincoln Park Temple Church (now called The Conquers Assembly) where he gave his life to Christ. He served as Chief Adjutant to two generations-- Father and Son, Bishop William A Ellis and son, and Pastor Jonathan D Ellis. During this time, he invited his wife and daughters who all then gave their lives to Christ. He served so passionately and later became a Trustee. He then served as Chief Adjutant at New Creation Christian Fellowship for the last 15 years and he also served on the Board of New Creation Community Development Corporation.

“Pop” Delgado, as he was loving known by many, truly loved and adored his two daughters, Deborah and Michele Delgado. He gave them everything that one could imagine possible. He especially gave them spiritual teachings and engrained in them a strong work ethic, spiritual foundation, and the love and importance of family. He taught and exemplified servitude and humility which was very contagious to all in his circle. He was very proud of their educational and professional accomplishments.

Michele works for SAISD as the District Instructional Reading Specialist. Although, Deborah held several professional positions, her most important role was being Joe’s partner and working with Pop in the Jewelry making business they still have today. Not only was Joe a proud and loving father, but he also loved his role as grandfather or “Grampy” as she called him, to his one and only granddaughter, Mikayla, his joy and the fourth and final love of his life.

Pop Delgado had a strong belief in acquiring as much education as possible. He lived by what he preached. A graduate of the Police Academy and Bexar County Sheriff’s Department in ‘70 and ’71, started a line of Law Enforcement certifications. He completed Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) Instructors School at Lackland Air Force Base in 1985. In 1988 he started many Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) certifications.

Joe had been honored in several ways. In 1985 he received Air Force Logistics Command Award and Outstanding DOD Civilian Employee Security Police. In 1988 he was awarded the AFLC Peacekeeper Challenge, in 1997 was given the Air Force Material Command /Air Force Association Outstanding Civilian Award, and in 1998 he received the Alamo Federal Executive Board Trades/Craft Employee of the Year.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jose Delgado and Annie V. Lopez. He is survived by his loving wife Rose Martinez Delgado who he was married to for 51 years, his daughters: Deborah Denise Delgado and Michele Marie Delgado, his one granddaughter, Mikayla Alexandra, his son, William L. Riffenburg and his adopted son, Hank Hall. Visitation will be Sunday, May 22, 2016 at New Creation Christian Fellowship, 8700 Fourwinds Dr. 78239 from 6p.m.-8:00 p.m. Final Viewing will be on Monday May 23, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. with the procession leaving the Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Homegoing Services will be at 11:00 a.m., New Creation Christian Fellowship. The family would like to give their thanks and gratitude to the “Dream Team” of Dr. Matthew Sideman, Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Michael De Gaetano, Nephrologist, Dr. Michael Barnett and Jessica Bjerk. Special thanks also go to Christus Santa Rosa Westover Hills, Warm Springs Rehab Center, Westover Acuity Hospital and Encompass Hospice for their loving care.