Longtime Escalon resident Joseph (Joe) Walter Serpa Jr., beloved Husband, Father, and Papa suddenly passed away on October 4th, 2017 in Modesto, CA surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born in Livermore, CA where he lived for 30 years. He studied Agriculture at MJC and Cal Poly. He married his wife Ginger in 1968 and they moved to Escalon in 1974 where they raised their three children on a small ranch. They raised cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and their ranch was often referred to as “Old McDonald’s Farm.” Joe also worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory for 40 years. He was involved in 4-H and FFA growing up and continued that tradition with his own children and grandchildren. Joe was a devoted husband, who loved his family more than anything and a friend to all who knew no strangers. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports and attended all of their events when he could. Whatever his children were involved in so was Joe 100 percent. Joe’s love of animals continued even after he retired, including his rabbits, goats and miniature donkeys. He loved hunting, playing cribbage, attending rodeos, livestock shows, and watching any sporting event. Joe started each morning faithfully by going to the local Donut Shack or Collegeville Market to enjoy coffee, donuts and discussed all the latest local news with his buddies.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Ginger Serpa, his son Joseph Serpa (Kate Bigelow) of Escalon, daughters Jennifer Serpa (Wade Piechalski) of Livermore, Jeanine Serpa-Bairos (Cherilyn) of Oakdale, and grandchildren Jaqueline Serpa of Oakdale, Jaylyne Serpa of Escalon, Austin Martinez of San Jose, Hadyn McDonald-Serpa and Hayli McDonald-Serpa of Oakdale. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Gertrude Serpa.
A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11th and a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 12th, both services will be held at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon. A graveside service will follow at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Oct. 11, 2017