Joseph Edward Velasquez

Joseph Edward Velasquez was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven early Tuesday morning, June 6, 2017, at the age of 53 after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was a successful nurse anesthetist and resident of Bakersfield for over 20 years, follower of Christ, husband, father, and friend. He enjoyed eating, reading, working in the yard, swimming, hiking, and most importantly helping others. He was very creative when it came to fixing and building things, such as working on his MG and creating a 12-foot tall cross from an old church pew. He also loved spending time with family and friends.
Joe was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina at Fort Bragg, U.S. army base, on October 7, 1963. They soon returned to California and he grew up with younger brother David Borges in Visalia. Joe graduated from Redwood High School, then went to College of Sequoias to receive his Registered Nursing Degree. In 1986, his first son, Ryan, was born.  He would marry Christy Epp in 1995 and relocated to Bakersfield. They celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary in January and raised two wonderful children, Breanna and Matthew.
In the midst of his fight with cancer, he would graduate with honors to receive his Doctorate of Nurse Practice from Cal State Fullerton in 2015 and loved the idea of being called "Doctor Joe".
He is survived by his wife, three children, grandchild Nash, mother Patty Lynd Weeks, father Edward Velasquez, brother, and many more loving family members and friends. They are all proud of Joe's amazing fight to live each day and find peace knowing he was a strong believer in Christ and he has gone to be with His Lord and Savior where there is no more pain and suffering (Revelation 21:4).
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield CA 93308 at 10AM Tuesday, June 20, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to
www.PanCan.org
.
www.kernriverfamilymortuary.com