Cover photo for Joe L. Loredo's Obituary
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Joe

Joe L. Loredo

Born: April 6, 1936 ~ Died: July 6, 2021

Joe was 85 years young. He was born to parents Antonia and Jesus Loredo in Phoenix, Arizona. He was their second son and their eighth of nine children. Joe is preceded in death by his loving wife Irma M. Loredo and his daughter Rosemary Loredo. He is also preceded in death by his beloved parents, Antonia and Jesus Loredo, six sisters, one brother and his loving and special brothers-in-laws and sister In-law: Lucia Benavidez (Paul), Angelita/Connie Elias (Bill), Margaret Casas (Ramon), Carmen Saiz (Joe), Nellie/Molie) Lugo (Emilio), Betty Duran, brother John Loredo (Vera) and last but never least, Carlos (Charlie) Tellez.

Joe is survived by his children, Michael Loredo (Alma), Christina Ybarra (Jesse), Joey Loredo (Cheryl), Nathaniel Loredo, Christopher Loredo (Edda) and Vicente Loredo. He is also survived by his sister, Frances/Pancha Tellez, 16 Grandchildren and 16 Great-Grandchildren. Joe also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, family and lifelong friends.

In 1957, Joe was hired on with the City of Phoenix, Streets Division. He was a dedicated and hardworking employee with many citations of recognition during his career. He began as a city bus cleaner and eventually received his commercial drivers license. Joe advanced himself and took on more responsibility, working as a mechanic in the Public Works Division, keeping all his assigned city vehicles in top working order and maintained their safety status.

In 1957 Joe met the love of his life, Irma M. Lopez. Four months later they eloped to Las Vegas and were married. Three months later they were pregnant with their first child. Joe and Irma would continue to grow their family to five boys and two girls.

While Joe continued working for the City of Phoenix, he also worked at home after a full eight-hour day’s work. Joe was always working under his carport fixing vehicles for friends or friends of friends or family. He built a shop at the back of his carport and had all his tools of his trade in that workshop. If not working on transmissions, brake systems, engine blocks or carburetors, he was working on home improvements. Joe would barter with his bricklayer, construction, cement, electrician, duct, drywall or painter family and friends. Joe would work on their vehicles in exchange for their services on our home when he could.

Joe advanced from cleaning buses to driving a wrecker, then an auto and motorcycle mechanic. Later, in his career he advanced to Heavy Equipment Operator, driving single and dual tanker vehicles for the Finance Division. Joe delivered fuel to all the City of Phoenix police and fire substations in and around the city limits, as well as the surrounding airports. Joe loved working for the city. In 1999, Joe retired from the City of Phoenix with 42 years of dedicated service to his employer.

Shortly after Joe and Irma retired, the family home was sold and they moved to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico. A decision they never regretted. They had many new experiences for the next several years. They made many new friends both locals and retirees living the same relaxing life!

In 2010, Joe was diagnosed with early on-set Dementia. Joe and Irma decided to head back to Arizona, to be near their children. They continued to live in their RV in Dewey and Avondale, Arizona. After a few years, and health issues beginning to interrupt their daily lives, they decided to return to Phoenix. Eventually living in a Senior Apartment Complex with their chihuahua, Baby. As always, meeting new friends in their new surroundings.

Joe and Irma celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in April, prior to her death in July of 2019. After Irma’s passing, Joe moved in with his daughter and son-in-law. Joe’s Dementia began to worsen in February of 2021. Joe was placed under Hospice of the Valley in-home care. He was assigned a Nurse to visit weekly while being able to stay at home with his family.

In April of 2021, after a few very difficult weeks, Joe was placed into Barbara Jean’s Group Home in Goodyear, Arizona. He truly enjoyed his stay there with his Beautiful Ladies, Tia, Karin, Carolyn, Dee and Raquel. They spoiled him rotten and took such loving care of him, until the very end. Dad received unconditional love, loving friendships and wonderful health support from his caregivers. He enjoyed “Alexa” playing his favorite tunes from Blueberry Hill to various 50’s Rock and Roll, Motown, Country, Christian and Mexican music. He was Mr. Joe Loredoooo, Mr. Music Maaan, as Tia would call him. Always tapping his feet to the beat!

On Tuesday morning, July 6, Joe woke up, dressed and was ready for the day. Instead of breakfast he chose to relax in the living room. A short time later, he passed away while sleeping in his favorite recliner.

He is now reunited with the love of his life, his Earth Angel Irma, along with all of his family and friends that have passed before him.

Dad and Mom were a fine example of how to have a good marriage with all of its fun ups and really hard and sad downs. You both persevered and kept loving and caring for each other and for your family, until the end. You were a great example of a fine, hardworking man and a wonderful and loving Husband, Dad, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend. We miss your smile and great sense of humor. We will also miss your birthday song to us every year. Only you could sing “Happy Birthday” like no other. You always ended your song with “and many moooore”! We’ll miss that too.

We love and miss you Dad. One day we will see you and Mom and our entire family again. Until then, we will keep you and our shared memories of you and Mom in our hearts. We all have very happy memories of such a beautiful love story!

To our family and friends, Thank you all for your support during these past three years! We appreciate each and every one of you for your loving thoughts, cards, calls, prayers and companionship.

We would also like to thank Hospice of the Valley Staff, Nurse Joe, Nurse Mary, Social Workers, Respite Care staff and Dr. Acevedo for the care and compassion they gave to Dad during his time with Hospice of the Valley. We received much love and friendship from them as well.

A special thanks to Tia and her staff for their remarkable care and compassion they gave to Dad every day he was at Barbara Jean’s Group Home. These beautiful and remarkable women made it easier for us to leave him in their loving hands. They are truly a blessing to us for treating Dad with such love, warmth and respect. They also gave us love and friendship every time we would visit Dad. You are all a blessing! We will not forget!

Another special thanks to the Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home Staff. They did a wonderful job of taking care of Mom and now Dad. Along with their experienced staff and excellent facilities, they have also taken very good care of our family during this process.

On Saturday, July 31, 2021, a Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. For those who are not able to attend in person please join virtually at 10:00am, on our funeral home Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyMurphyFH/live/

In lieu of flowers, a small plant or a donation to Hospice of the Valley in the name of Joe L. Loredo, would be much appreciated. Donations can be sent to 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or online at www.hov.org. Condolences may be made by visiting the online guest book at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe L. Loredo, please visit our flower store.

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