Joe was born on October 19, 1948. He grew up in Torrance, CA and graduated from Bishop Montgomery High School, where he met the love of his life, Donna. The two married in 1967 and shortly thereafter started their life as a military family traveling the world.
“Smokin Joe” served 33 years in the U.S. Army, spending many of those years as a Special Forces Green Beret. Joe retired as a Colonel but also spent time in the enlisted ranks including being a drill sergeant. He loved leading troops; it was one of the highlights of his military career. After the Army, Joe spent over 10 years working at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA at a variety of positions.
Joe loved surfing, spending time with Donna and his family, coaching his kids and grandkids in soccer, daily walks with his dogs, Shadow and Sierra, and living life to the fullest.
Joe is survived by his wife of 51 years, Donna, their 4 children: Christopher(Kelly), Jason(Alicia), Joshua and Holly(Richard) and 7 grandchildren: Keller, Payton, Jacob, Brady, Brooks, Preston and Airlie. He is also survived by his parents, Joe & Bernice, 6 siblings: Vickie(John), Marsha(Tom), Juliet(Brian), Jimmy(Marion), Terri(Jeff), Angela and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on January 19, 2019 at Mt. Vernon Mortuary in Fair Oaks, CA followed by burial at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Special Forces Charitable Trust.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountVernonMemorial.com for the Andrade family.
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