Joe Otahal died peacefully surrounded by his family in his Hollister home, the morning of December 26, 2009. He was 80 years old.
Joe was born in the small rural community of Cistern, Texas, in 1929. He lived there with his parents, Joe and Martha, and his seven brothers and sisters. His family moved to Smithville, Texas, where he met his high school sweetheart, Della Mae Vyvjala. They married in 1948 and relocated to Houston, Texas. Joe began his forty-one year accounting career with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, spending most of that time in the corporate tax department . After a few more years of kicking up their heels on the dance floor, they settled down and started a family. In 1962, Joe, Della and their first three sons, Joseph, Michael and Thomas moved to Sunnyvale, California. In 1965, their fourth son, Christopher was born. They lived many happy years in the Bay Area, raising the kids and enjoying many friendships.
In 1989, Joe retired and moved with Della to their picturesque country home in the Hollister Hills. Joe took great pleasure in working his vineyard, perfecting his winemaking skills, camping with and serving as president of the Hook-em-up RV club. After retirement, he continued to be involved with the Southern Pacific Employee Mutual Benefits Association as their president. Joe and Della hosted frequent visits from old and new friends, sons and daughters-in-law, and their three grandchildren, Rachel, Daniel and Erika. Their Hollister home was the site of many family gatherings, horseshoe contests and late night card and domino games. Joe ventured on many cruises and houseboat trips with Della and friends, and occasional fishing trips to Mexico with his sons.
He was hard-working, kind and generous to all, and forever in love with his wife Della. He had a wonderful sense of humor and great joy for living.
A memorial mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 7290 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos, California at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. There will be a reception following the service at the Otahal home, 21 Vineyard Court, Hollister, California.
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