Joe A. Collazo

March 14, 1921 - April 14, 2014

Joe A. Collazo, 93, of Groves, Texas, died Monday morning, April 14, 2014. He was born March 14, 1921, to Ventura and Jesus Collazo in Port Arthur. Joe was a 1940 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and was involved in combat in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the following: Distinguished Unit Badge, Philippine Liberation Campaign Medal with Two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Four Bronze Stars. Joe retired from Texaco where he had worked for 42 years. He also owned and operated a radio and television repair business for 30 years. Joe married his wife Rufina in 1955 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Joe enjoyed working in his yard, camping with his family and taking Rufina on driving trips across the country. Joe was also an active amateur radio operator, enjoyed working with personal computers and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. More than anything else, Joe loved his family and was always ready to help his children and grandchildren. Joe is survived by his wife, Rufina and his children Joe Edward and his wife Julie, of Houston, Cynthia Featherston and her husband William, of Houston, Stephen and his wife Debbra, of Tacoma, Washington, Susan Maxwell and her husband, Joe, of Katy, and Robert and his wife Marie, of Cupertino, California, 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Joe is also survived by his sister, Carol Orozco. He is preceded in death by five siblings. Visitation will be on Monday, April 21, 2014 from 5-7 PM with a rosary to be prayed at 6 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, with Father T. R. Blanco officiating, internment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery. Donations can be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 3648 S/Sgt Lucian Adams Drive, Port Arthur, Texas 77642.