Joe Martins Esteves
January 26, 1957 - October 1, 2024
Joe Martins Esteves - husband, father, grandfather, and friend, lost a battle with lung failure, due to valley fever, and left us on October 1, 2024, at the age of sixty-seven. Born on January 26, 1957, in Tracy, California, to Portuguese immigrants from Terceira, in the Azores Islands, Joe was the oldest of his parents’ three children, followed by a brother, Frank, and a sister, Lucy.
In 1973, Joe fell in love with a young girl who would later become his wife and the mother of his four children over the next 51 years. He graduated from Los Banos High School in 1976, and joined the United States Navy the same year, proposing to his girl back at home the moment he completed his basic training, serving until 1983. They married on June 24, 1978, and had four children. Joe was passionate about comic books, fantasy fiction, rock ‘n’ roll, and his favorite professional football team - the Green Bay Packers. As a teenager and young adult, he was a member of several rock bands and was even an aspiring comic book artist, going as far as submitting some of his work to Marvel Comics.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Leontina A. Triste; his father, Jose C. Esteves; and his brother, Frank M. Esteves. He is survived by his wife, Sonia L. Whisenhunt Esteves; his four children - Angela L. Laird (Stephen Laird), Joseph M. Esteves II (Jessica LaVallee), Donovan S. Esteves (Raeann James) and David J. Esteves; his seven grandchildren Savanah G. Laird, Austin S. Laird, Eithen A. Esparza, Morgan R. Esteves, Ruby L. Esteves, Gavin J. Esteves and Arwyn T. Esteves; his younger sister Lucy M. Esteves Zurilgen (Jeff Zurilgen) and her sons, Alexander S. Fredendall and Tyler J. Fredendall; and many other family members.
A celebration of life for Joseph will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00 AM at Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, 140 South 6th Street, Chowchilla, California.
Please join us in remembering Joseph Martins Esteves by visiting our Memorial at www.wordenchapel.com
Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Esteves Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, Lori Whatley, Funeral Arranger.
