Joe Andrew Aguirre ascended to a heavenly plane on Feb. 9, 2023. He departed this world surrounded by the infinite love of his family at his residence. Funeral mass was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father John Sudhaker Sangabathini officiating. Burial followed in the Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Rosary was at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel.
Born in Lockhart, Texas on Sept. 19, 1947, to Francisco and Juanita Aguirre, he now reunites with his parents, brothers Frank Aguirre and Uriel Aguirre; and sisters Mary Esquivel, Carmen Falcon and Gertrude Nolan.
Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army from 196870. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his valor during the Vietnam War. Upon leaving active duty, he then served in the United States Army Reserves for four years.
He returned home and married the love of his life, Lavona Sherwood, on Feb. 13, 1971.
He was a long-time employee of Lancer Mobile Homes and went on to retire from a career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
A classic car enthusiast, Joe enjoyed doing restoration projects as a hobby. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and could often be found intently watching the races. He also loved watching the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers play baseball.
But above all things, he found his true happiness in watching his grandkids and great-grandkids play sports.
Joe loved to fish in Colorado and Red River. After retirement, he spent most of his free time on the family farm, tending to his cattle.
With all said, anyone who knew Joe knows that he had one true priority in all things: his family.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 52 years, Lavona, of Childress; sons Brian Aguirre and wife Jamie, Jason Aguirre and wife Victoria, and Rodney Aguirre and wife Leonor, all of Childress; daughter Jennifer Flanagin and husband Dennis, of Childress; brothers Larry Aguirre and wife Mary, of Fort Worth, Texas, Ramon Aguirre and wife Irene, of Shamrock, Texas; sister Lou Gonzales and husband Tony, of Shamrock, Texas; grandchildren Mandi Aguirre, Braden Aguirre, Ashley Ramos,Taylor and Angelyna Byers, Lane Byers, Ashley Aguirre, Justin Reyna, Aidan Aguirre, Corgen Chaney, Brandon White, Charlie Digman, Kaitlyn and Ricky Cofield, Christian Aguirre, Andrew Brown and Mathew Smith; great-grandchildren Lucas and Liam Tagle, Hendrix Aguirre, Sebastyne and Everlye Byers, Nikola and Natalie Brown, Jayleigh and Kyleigh Garrison, Kolson and Emerleigh Reyna, and Georgia and Madilyn Cofield; sister-in-law DeAnna Cagle and husband Jeff; and brothers-in-law Joel Sherwood and wife Pam, Billy Sherwood and Carol and Jamie Sherwood and Sharon.
The ache in our hearts is eased only by the comfort of his long-lasting legacy of family, love and honor.
Memorials may be made to Childress Regional Medical Center Hospice.
