Jose Aranda Sr.

Laredo Businessman, Jose Aranda Sr. was called home by the Lord at the age of 84 on August 8, 2012. He was affectionately known as "Pikki". Jose was born in Jalisco, Mexico on April 4, 1928. In 1962, he came to Laredo to start his family owned business "Aranda Iron Works, Inc." A business he proudly started with the help of his wife Lucia and later continued working hard with the help of his children, Joe Jr., Theresa, and Eduardo. He continued to tend to his business until the end. A business he was so very proud of.

He was a gentle soul with a very firm heart. He had a strong character, yet he still managed to show his love for everyone. His saying was always "Who loves you much?" He was a simple minded, yet extremely intelligent. He always managed to find a solution to every problem and he accomplished it. There was no problem that he could not solve. His wisdom and his intelligence were passed on to his family and were shared with several people as well. The Lord blessed him with many talents, knowledge and strengths to be able to support his family, always looking out for the best for his family. He always looked to others and took care of everyone who needed him. He was the greatest husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. His passion for life was his Family; he enjoyed the family tradition of every Sunday getting together with all his sons and daughters' families. Everyone knows that every Sunday is a party at the Aranda residence. His tradition that will continue to be followed. He opened his house to anyone that wanted to experience his family tradition. He was a true old fashioned gentleman who knew how to work hard, yet love even harder.

He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Special thanks to Dr. Adonis Zuniga-Goldwater for his care to our father and to the 3rd floor nurses at LMC, especially to Tony Nino, his nurse that always took care of him with great compassion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norberto Aranda Sr. and Emilia Aranda Lopez; daughter, Maria Elena Aranda; brother, Norberto Aranda Jr.; and sisters, Rosa Maria Aranda, Theresa Aranda Vasquez, and Josefina Aranda Hernandez.

His love will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 60 years, Lucia R. Aranda; children, Isabel (Mario) De Hoyos, Marcela Aranda-Garza, Theresa Aranda, Joe (Violeta) Aranda Jr., Millie (Tony) Mercado, Eduardo (Sylvia) Aranda, Lyli (Ruben Jr.) Cantu, Lucy (Juan) Ballesteros Jr.; grandchildren, Jesse Flores IV, Melizza Flores, Pablo Garza Jr., Luis Garza, Marcela Blair, Joey Aranda III, Violetta Aranda, Tony Mercado Jr., Ileana Mercado, Alex Mercado, Christy Aranda, Selina Aranda, Louie Castillo III, Amanda Ballesteros, Juan Jose Ballesteros ; great-grandchildren, Pablo Garza Jr., Carolina Garza, Jose Garza, Diego Garza, Haley Blair, Lucy Blair, Natalie Blair, Albert Castaneda III, Adrian Roberto Garcia; sister, Maria Vasquez Aranda; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and loving friends.