Rosary
Grimes Funeral Chapels
728 Jefferson St.
Kerrville, TX  78028
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
6:00 pm
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Mass
Notre Dame Catholic Church
909 Main St.
Kerrville, TX  78028
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
9:00 am
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Guadalupe Cemetery
Kerrville, TX  

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Jose Hernandez Lara

of Kerrville, TX

June 28, 1952 - May 24, 2023


  • Obituary
  • Guestbook
Joe Hernandez Lara 70 was born June 28, 1952 in Kerrville, TX to Cruz B. Lara and Margarita Hernandez Lara. He was next to the youngest of 10 kids. He died peacefully May 24, 2023 at Peterson Hospital with many friends and family around the bed in the final hours and in zoom calls to the very end. And special nurse Susan Sieker.

He attended public schools in Kerrville and graduated from Tivy High School in 1971. Joe was an All State defensive end in football and an outstanding baseball player as a pitcher, outfielder, and batter.

Joe accepted a football scholarship to Howard Payne University over baseball scholarship offers. A knee injury and love of baseball caused him to transfer to Bee County College and accept their baseball scholarship. After 2 years there he received a scholarship to Pan American University now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. And after graduation time in the Dodgers Organization farm system.

Joe was a Health Teacher and Coach in several towns and cities in south Texas but mostly in Laredo ISD. Retiring after 29 years for health reasons. He last taught at Cigarroa High School in Laredo. And then returned to Kerrville.

Joe was inducted with his team into the Pan American University/UT Rio Grande Valley Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. And inducted into the Tivy High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

He was predeceased by his parents, Cruz and Margarita Lara; brother, Tony Lara, and brother in-law, Manuel Barron, husband of Lydia Lara.

He is survived by his sons, Andrew (Veronica), Joe Lara Jr. (Sasha); daughter, Monica; grandchildren, Andrew Cruz Lara, Sean Lara, Sebastian Lara, Nyomi Peña, Eliam Lara; sisters, Lydia Barron, Olivia Ozuna (Ted), Florence Menchaca (Edward), Esther Mora (Donnie), Mary Ayala, (Edward), brothers, John (Tina), Cruz Lara Jr., and Charlie. And a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank professionals and staff at Peterson Urgent Care, Peterson Community Care, Peterson Home Health, Peterson Hospital, Waterside Assisted Living, River Hills Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Michael Guerra and staff, and CPL Labs.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Lara (son), Andrew Cruz (grandson), Marco Menchaca (nephew), Eddie Menchaca (nephew), Joey Lara (son) and Sean Lara (grandson).

Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Joe's former football and baseball teammates, trainers, and managers from Little League through professional.

Rosary will be at 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 30th at Grimes Funeral Chapel.

Mass will be at 9:00AM Wednesday May 31st at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Guadalupe Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.



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7 Condolence(s)
Juan Vazquez
Laredo, TX
Saturday, September 23, 2023

Rest easy COACH!! Thank you for your friendship during ny high school years 🙏

Servando Benavides
Laredo, TX
Tuesday, August 15, 2023

My condolences to all the family. Rest in peace Coach! You will be missed!

Susan McElroy
Kerrville,
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Tx

Pedro (Pete) Guerrero
Vernon, TX
Monday, May 29, 2023

We were shocked and saddened to hear about my friend Joe (Jose) Hernandez Lara passing. We will miss you. “There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.” We know that Joe Jose Lara will NEVER die that third death...
RIP Joe

Leo A Espinoza
San Angelo, TX
Monday, May 29, 2023

Sorry for your loss! Rest in peace my friend.

Miguel “Mike” Trinidad
Bloomington, MN
Friday, May 26, 2023

Sorry for your loss of Joe to all members of the Lara family. Joe was a humble and fun person to be around with and very mature at a young age. He was funny and well liked by me and many other former ball players. He handled all his achievements with humility. I’m proud to have been a friend, teammate, and competitor. “What a ball player you were!” You were one of a kind. You’ll be missed. “The Baby Bull!”

Hector Tijerina
San Antonio, TX
Thursday, May 25, 2023

My deepest condolences to the Lara family. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
I will always remember him as a good friend, teammate and an extraordinary athlete. So many good memories, so many great times.