Jose Pelayo

Jose Oriol Pelayo, 86 of Natalia, TX passed away peacefully on Monday, July 26, 2021. Jose was born on March 23, 1935 in Laredo, TX to the late Juan Pelayo and Idolina (Flores) Pelayo.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years Juanita Pelayo, brothers Martin Orlando Pelayo and Emerterio Pelayo.

Jose was known to everyone simply as Joe. He proudly served in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Taussig sailing the world as a machinist mate. While Joe spent many days at sea his most memorable stint was being stationed at the U.S. Naval Station in Kodiak, AK where he worked as a firefighter, alarm operator, pump operator and driver. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, living out a lifelong dream, he ran a restaurant with his beautiful wife. If you worked at Lackland AFB in the 1990’s there’s a good chance you had the most delicious enchiladas and ice-cold tea from Pelayo’s Café. Joe’s past times included swimming, fishing, golfing, playing poker, carpentry, creating concrete art, and hitting the slots with his wife. When not traveling from casino to casino, Joe enjoyed watching Western and Classic movies and hours and hours of professional golf. He will be so fondly remembered for his boisterous and infectious laugh and his love of tequila.

Jose is survived by his sister, Elva P. Salinas (Manuel), children/stepchildren Graciela Booth (Henry), Ruben Moreno (Diana), Griselda Pelayo, Paul Moreno, Jose (Pepe) Pelayo Jr. and numerous loving nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

On behalf of the family, we would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at Huebner Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center and Amedisys Hospice for the kindness and loving care they provided.

Joe may be gone from this earth, but he shall forever remain in our hearts.
“Fair Winds and Following Seas”