Joe Luna

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our brother Jose “Joe” Luna, a heavily decorated Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman, born and raised in Uvalde, Texas. Serving over 20 years of service to his country and earning the highest achievement as a Navy Seal, he lost his long battle with multiple sclerosis on Nov. 13, 2023, at Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born July 10, 1960, to Martha (Uriegas) and Armando Luna. He was an all-district defensive end for the Uvalde Coyotes and took pride in defending his team. It was only natural that he would go on to defend our great nation by joining the United States Navy straight out of high school.

He married Helen Guzman and was married for 20 years. They had two children together, Gabriel and Machella Luna. He was then married to Connie Hill for five years.

He served as a duty corpsman, hospital corpsman and as a Navy Seal. Joe often spoke about his training as a Navy Seal, being dropped off in the ocean, pulling massive logs and sandbags on sandy and snow terrain to boost endurance.

Joe eventually surpassed all requirements and became part of US Navy Seal Team 4. He did tours in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War, and was deployed to various other locals across the globe including the Mediterranean, Afghanistan, and Panama. Joe was not able to share the details of grueling missions behind his medals but they paled in comparison to the fight he faced with MS.

He was a well decorated veteran, earning medals which included: five Good Conduct Medals, Two Navy Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Medal, Two Navy Achievement Medals, Kuwait Liberation Medals (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Ribbon with Two Stars and Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist Device, Expert Pistol Shot Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, and Sharpshooter M16.

Joe found himself serving people from all nations. An article in USA Today on March 15, 1994, found him treating Somalians. Joe stated, “Boom, it hits you right there,” pounding his heart. Joe served his country with great pride and joy, he served with a courageous heart, and he took this same vigor as he confronted his battle with MS.

Joe had a contagious spirit. He was a devout Catholic and with great faith and constant prayer this got him through all his battles. Prior to his MS diagnosis he would run 22 miles to Knippa and back, had a love for camping and getting into his scuba gear for a winter swim. He was a diehard Cowboy fan and loved to be around his brothers and sisters.

He loved his children and took great pride in knowing his son had become an optometrist and his daughter’s great accomplishments in life. He was able to share the joy of meeting his granddaughter, Raella Beth, just a few months ago.

Joe’s extensive battle with MS left him in the care of his sister, Martha and brother-in-law Robert Lara, who became his advocate and voice throughout his battle.

Amistad Nursing Home was his home for six years of his life, and Lupe Cruz and Crispin De Hoyos were his heartfelt caregivers that shared along in his last years. Throughout his military service and struggle through MS, he never complained, but with a grateful heart, thanked everyone that took care of him.

He is survived by his son, Gabriel Everado Luna and wife, Amanda Rae Luna, of El Paso; daughter, Machella Ellysa Luna-Gorman and husband, Cameron Zane Luna-Gorman, of Korea; granddaughter Raella Beth Luna of El Paso; two brothers, Armando Luna and wife, Darlene, and Raul Luna and wife, Katarina, of Acuña, Mexico; seven sisters, Linda Gomez and husband, Armando, Ana Muñoz, Martha Lara and husband, Robert, Sulema Ybarra and husband, Conrado, and Idy Gonzales and husband, Ben, all of Uvalde, Pat Reyes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Betty Booher of Seguin. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will begin Saturday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m. and the holy rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Sunday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. and the holy rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.