Jose Luis Beattie Dominguez Jr.

His kindness drew people in and gave them a sense of comfort and love, and that is no surprise since Jose always held his family and his faith as most important in his life.

The eldest child, Jose was born May 4, 1943, in Piedras Negras, Mexico to his loving parents Jose Luis and Maria Alma Beattie Dominguez. Jose passed away peacefully on October 16, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Jose, along with siblings Valente, Sonia, and Lester, lived a happy childhood before the family immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s in search of better opportunities.

Jose attended Eagle Pass High School where he excelled in his studies. During high school, Jose met Maria Elena Reyes and they began dating. Jose graduated from high school in 1964 and on a whim decided to join the United States Marine Corps. that same year.

Jose bravely served in Vietnam as part of the well-known unit of Bravo Company 1st Battalion 9th Marines. The unit encountered many bloody and deadly engagements with the Viet Cong and the unit was eventually all considered deceased. After several days, the survivors of the unit reappeared and were awarded the name of "The Walking Dead.”

In a patriotic commitment, Jose fought for the United States as a Mexican citizen. It was not until after his honorable service in the Marines that he earned his United States citizenship in October of 1967. He always felt honored to earn his citizenship through combat and war and not as a birthright.

Following his honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corp in 1967, Jose returned to Eagle Pass where he married Maria Elena in 1968. An act of love, Jose purchased a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro as a wedding gift to Maria, ensuring the car was a stunning red, Maria's favorite color.

Jose attended Sam Houston State University in 1970 and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, earning the degree in just three years. Jose was just nine hours short of a master’s degree in Criminal Justice leaving school to accept a full-time position at the Texas Department of Correction in 1972.

Following the birth of Jose and Maria’s only child, Joseph Patrick, in May 1973, the family moved to Conroe. Jose remained in Conroe until he retired in 2002 as the longest-tenured parole officer in the State of Texas at that time. He was given a Texas flag that flew over the State Capital building on his retirement date.

Jose is preceded in death by his parents, Jose Luis and Maria Alma, brother Valente, and sister Sonia.

Jose is survived by the love of his life, Maria Elena; son, Joseph Patrick and, wife, Catherine; grandsons Forrest Logan, Colton James, Samuel Patrick, and Zachary Patrick; and brother, Lester.

Joseph and Catherine were blessed to have Jose live with them for the last 10 years as an integral part of the family’s day-to-day life from his daily grocery store trips to his devoted care of the family’s pets. Jose loved spending time with Samuel and Zachary, taking them to many athletic and school events and could always be seen waving to the boys as left on the bus each morning.

Jose will be deeply missed and will never be far from the hearts of those who love him.

Thank you, Papi, for always being there for us, supporting us and being the rock for this family. We know you are watching over us.

A rosary will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio 78238. A memorial to celebrate Jose’s life will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at the same location