Jose Guadalupe Luna

Jose Guadalupe Luna was born on August 31, 1945 in Pharr, TX. He grew up in a time and place where the color of your skin dictated who you could date, or where you could eat your lunch, and the railroad tracks determined your life. Despite the many challenges he faced, Jose faced his adversity with unwavering determination. Inspired by his grandfather, who sacrificed so much for him, and a need for something greater, Jose envisioned a future full of possibilities.

Jose “The Great’ Luna loved music and pursued it in many forms his entire life. He was a familiar face in the local music scene, playing his bass guitar across the Rio Grande Valley. After he graduated from PSJA high school in 1965, he joined the United States Air Force, which took him to South Carolina. While there, he had a successful career as an airman, while still continuing to pursue his passion for music. He won contests as bass soloist, gigged from Florida to Baltimore, and was offered a job as a studio musician in Nashville, TN.

After the Air Force, Joe moved to Lake Jackson, TX where he joined the United States Coast Guard. During this time he earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Houston. He later earned a degree in education from Texas A&M university. He worked for several national and world wide companies, ranging from junior engineer to director of engineering. He volunteered as a youth softball coach, and continued to pursue music as a D.J.

Later in life, Mr. Luna’s commitment to family was extended to ensuring all of his grandchildren were taken care of. His kindness and compassion was exemplified by his devotion to taking in and caring for many stray animals. And on Friday nights, he could be found in the company of his faithful bass guitar. His music room resonated with the perfect harmonies, as his fingers remembered every note and the vinyl records carried the timeless memories of his life.

Jose Guadalupe Luna passed away on Saturday evening, January 6, 2024 with friendships that lasted a lifetime, surrounded by loved ones, and having lived a life worth remembering.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather Eulogio Luna, grandmother Manuela Luna Gonzales, mother San Juanita Luna, and his first grandchild Izmael Moncayo III.

He is survived by his loving partner Ninfa Perez, his daughters Michele Luna (Brian John Clark), Marie Luna (Eli Zavala), Meredith Prukop (Conrad W Prukop III), and his son Michael Luna, his stepchildren Dora Presas (Aqurlino ‘Quiro’ Perez), Victoria Gamboa (Ismael Gamboa, Jr.) 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and his former wife Beatriz Luna.

A visitation for Jose will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. A dinner will follow at 5:30 p.m. at SB Wings, 498 E Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586.