Jose A. Guaman

Jose A. Guaman Resident of Oakley, California passed away on Thursday, December 27th at his home peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends. Jose was born on October 29, 1957 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, South America. He lived in South America until the age of 4 when his parents moved to San Francisco, California in 1963. He was raised there by his parents Jose and Eny Guaman and his cherished Abuelita Luz Maria Calderon. He grew up in San Francisco where he attended Longfellow Elementary School and later Jefferson High School where he excelled in sports both Football and Basketball. Jose also had a musical talent and quickly became a young 16 year old up and coming percussionist in the Salsa scene where he played with one of San Francisco's top bands, The Alfredo Mojica Sr. Orquesta. But it was at this time while playing basketball that he found his true passion. He helped his school advance to the State Finals. He was nicknamed Dr. J after the 76ers Julius Irving for his clutch last minute three point shots. He played with a big heart and would take on any opponent under the basket no matter their size. In 1975 he graduated from Jefferson High School and attended Skyline College. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Navy. He was assigned to the Aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk. The ship was sent out on a WESTPAK deployment for a 7-month cruise to the Western Pacific. Jose was assigned to Flight Operations and quickly rose to the position of Aircraft Carrier Director in charge of directing all inbound and outbound planes. He received honorable discharge in 1979 and returned to San Francisco and began a banking career with Bayview Federal. In 1980 he met Marcia Sales and they were married in September of 1984. They moved their little family of daughter Noelle Yvette and Anthony Jose to Antioch California in May of 1987 and welcomed their last daughter Dominique Justine in 1988. The family introduced their Golden Retriever Max and then later current pet Baron a Yorkshire Terrier whom he both loved dearly. During the 80's and 90's Jose kept busy attending and being involved in the activities of his children from dance/letter girl to cheerleading, basketball, football and swimming. He coached CYO Basketball teams to many championships over the years that his son AJ (Anthony) played on and later coached his daughter Dominique's teams onto equal championships. He loved to encourage his players with skill and those without skill to work hard and play hard and taught them to believe in themselves on and off the court. He was an avid fisherman and loved to take his family camping . He spent many hours boating on the Delta and loved nothing more than to hear the happy screams of his children tubing across the water. He was also a member of Delta Bible Church and served as a Deacon and Awana program Game Director as well as playing percussion in the church worship team for many years. He had a passion for teaching the Bible and sharing his love for the Lord to anyone who would listen. He shared his Faith throughout his illness never wavering. He returned to the music scene 10 years ago and organized and managed his own Salsa orquesta "La Fuerza Gigante". His band quickly became one of the Bay Area's premier salsa groups and opened up for Patti LaBelle and Train at the 2005 Black and White Ball. They also were the back up band for many well-known artists from Puerto Rico and New York. At the time of his passing he was working on the completion of his CD, which will be released in 2013. In 1986 Jose was employed by Digital Equipment Corporation that would later be bought by Compaq Computer and then finally Hewlett Packard. He was employed by these three companies over a period of 26 years and retired on August 31, 2012 as an HP Services Business Development Manager for the Americas. Jose leaves behind those who will cherish his memory including loving wife Marcia A. Guaman; Mother and Father Jose and Eny Guaman; children, Noelle Yvette Alcala, Anthony Jose Guaman, Dominique Justine Guaman; Son-in-law Robert Alcala; Grandchildren, Christian Alcala, Amaya Alcala and Alania Guaman; sisters Maria Diaz, Norma Espinoza and Diana Guaman; brother-in-laws Julio Diaz and John Espinoza, sister-in-law Ruth Sales-Stewart; nieces Andrea Alvarez, Melissa Espinoza, Elisia Espinoza; nephews Julio Diaz Jr, Xavier Diaz; many cousins and dear friends. Jose's family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org). Click Donate Now tab for Honor/Memorial donation in Jose's name. KNOW IT! FIGHT IT! END IT!