Jose "Joe" Noe Perez

Donna- With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Jose "Joe" Noe Perez, a beloved husband, barber, liaison officer, and friend to many. Joe was born on September 19, 1938, in Alamo, Texas, and passed away on July 21, 2024, at Mid Valley Nursing & Rehab in Mercedes. 

Joe grew up in Alamo, Texas. He attended PSJA High School, where he was active in baseball and played the trumpet for the band. He graduated in 1957. 

Joe's life was characterized by his unwavering commitment to serving others. In the early 1970s, he embarked on a fulfilling career as a barber at Central Barber Shop in Donna. Joe's warm personality left a lasting impact on those around him. He had a knack for storytelling that could brighten anyone's day and seemed to have an endless supply of content. Joe was always ready with a joke to bring laughter into the room. Moreover, his attentive listening ear and wise advice endeared him to all who sought his counsel. Joe's personality made him the perfect barber, and over the years, he helped solve countless client problems or dilemmas. 

Joe was a goal-oriented leader. Later in life, he pursued his passion for education and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from UTPA. Joe eventually went to work for Donna ISD—DEAP Campus. Evenings were reserved for his cherished barbering profession. Joe served as a professional barber to countless community members for nearly fifty years. He retired in 2020. 

One of Joe's proudest accomplishments was his active involvement in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Donna, where he remained a faithful member. Additionally, he served in the National Guard and was a respected member of the Donna Lions Club. Known for his kind heart and willingness to help others, Joe touched the lives of many.

In his leisure time, Joe found joy in simple pleasures. He was an avid reader with a love for poetry, enjoyed playing golf, watching sports (especially golf and football), and indulged in classic Western movies. His intellect shone through as he tackled daily crosswords from The Monitor, engaged in word scrabble, and solved cryptograms.

Jose "Joe" Perez is preceded in death by his parents, Florentino and Beatriz B. Perez; his wife, Teresa Perez, who passed away in 1971; his sister and brother-in-law, Leonila and Jose G. Caballero. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Alicia Perez; daughters Noelia "Nobea" Handy ( Oscar "Sonny") and Araceli "Celi" Perez, son Robert Perez, grandchildren Sarah and Joshua Handy; sisters Anna P. (Cosme) Villarreal, Beatrice P. Rodriguez (José A.+), Margarita Perez, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services to honor and celebrate Joe's life will be held at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 1 to 9 p.m., with a Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Donna on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. Joe’s cremated remains will be buried at Donna City Cemetery, with a private service. 

Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Handy, Robert Perez, Carlos Caballero, Juan Villarreal, Mark Salinas, and Jonathan Rodriguez, also, honorary pallbearers will be Rene Alaniz and Walter Lukaszek. 

May Joe's legacy of kindness and service forever inspire us in our memories and hearts. Rest in peace, dear Joe.