To Norma and all of Joe's family, our sincerest condolences.  
Joe and I served together in the late 1970s at the Army Postal Unit in Nuernburg, Germany.  Joe was the quintessential NCO - knowledgeable, competent, dedicated, dependable. 
Two stories come to mind. First, Joe was a prankster. He used to tell the newly assigned young soldiers, many barely 18 years old, that since Germany's time zone was 5 hours ahead of the USA, by the time those soldiers returned to the States, they'd be a year older than their friends back home! Many believed him!
Second, there was a tall German water tower not far from our Kaserne. Joe used to tell the troops that it was a sauerkraut tower, that the Germans put freshly made sauerkraut in that tower to properly ferment. Then when ready, the sauerkraut could be drained out the bottom of the tower. Again. many believed.
I enjoyed many a run with Joe as we jogged weekly German Volksmarches of 10 and 20 km. I miss those times, and both Barb and I will remember Joe for a long time. Rest in peace, my friend.

Dick and Barb Buehler


There is no one favorite memory with my Grandpa Joe. My head is flooded with happy moments. 

Being picked up from elementary school in the truck he’d give me one day. 

“Working” with him at the flea market and getting to take home any toy I wanted. 

Having chips and salsa wars at Mexican restaurants. 

Dancing on his feet to jazz music in the kitchen.

Listening to Willie Nelson on long drives. 

Seeing how damn proud he was at my Air Force basic training graduation. And simultaneously shitting all over how privileged this new generation of military was. 

Telling me all about his adventures overseas and me slowly trying to recreate them for myself over the past 8 years.

The last time I spoke with him he mentioned “can you believe so many people came out to see me? They thought I was going to DIE!” And over his lifetime there were many times he could have. But he just kept coming back. I guess that’s why I’m having such a tough time believing this is the real one because I expect him to jump up like “haha, surprise assholes!” 

I hope he’s hanging out with my uncles, joking with Grandma Norba and telling my dad what a bunch of crybabies he has for daughters. 

I consider us all painfully lucky for knowing him. Lucky to have had him for the 3 extra months. Lucky to have him at all. 

“I wanna be an Airborne ranger. I wanna live the life of danger. Airborne. AIRBORNE!”

My grandpa was such an amazing man, I remember we would get into these “wars” about who loved who the most. I was say “I love you” and he would say “I love you to the moon”, which my 8 year old self would reply back “I love you to the moon and back” he would end our “war” by saying “I love you to the moon and back times infinity” he was the best sport and I am going to miss him so much. To the moon and back Grandpa ❤️

My Dad was a great storyteller…he’d have us laughing at his jokes and his experiences. He was so fun to be around and he was a prankster too. I’ll never forget when he came back from Vietnam.  He surprised us!  He said I brought you a dog!  We were 7 & 8 and sooo excited because we never had a pet.  We walked out to his brand new 1969 candy apple red Corvette and he pulls out two boxes containing little battery operated puppies which turned around in circles and barked!  He  tricked us, but we loved them nonetheless! A few years later when living in Japan, he showed me a $20 bill while our family was enjoying a sushi meal Mom had prepared.  Dad said to me, “I’ll give you this if you eat this” he pointed to an octopus tentacle as he held up a $20 bill. In 1971, that was a lot of money for a 10 year old!  After I chewed and swallowed the rubbery delicacy, he threw a fake $20 bill at me.  I whined, “but Dad, you said you’d give me $20.” To that he said “No, I said I’d give you this” 😂
Thanks for all the laughs Dad. I love you and will see you later. ❤️

Rest In Peace Joe!!
Remember the Christmas morning when we were delivering mail to the troops?  We were there side by side getting it done way above what was expected.  The mail ALWAYS moved no matter what.
Now you have angles to help you.
Jim 


OBITUARY

Joe Viray Jr.

October 2, 1938 – March 25, 2022

Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers

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