Jose Coronado

CORONADO
Jose R. Coronado left this world peacefully to be with the Lord Jesus on February 26, 2011. Jose was born in Benavides, Texas on April 3, 1932 to parents Pedro Coronado and Otila Coronado Garza. Jose was a career federal employee and retired in July 2006 with 44 years of service to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Jose began his federal career at the Houston VA Medical Center in 1962 as the Administrative Officer for Research Service. He was selected through a national competition in 1971 to be the first VA employee to attend the U.S. Army - Baylor University Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration. Following completion of his Masters Degree in 1973, he served as the Assistant Director of the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital. Jose was appointed Director of the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in July of 1975, and transitioned to the Director of the expanded South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) in 1995. During his 31 years as Director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, he was responsible for a healthcare delivery system which had an annual budget exceeding $450 million, spanning 64 counties in Texas, and comprised more than 2,800 employees. Jose's career achievements were recognized by three U.S. Presidents. He earned a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives from President Ronald Reagan in 1987, a Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executives from President George H. W. Bush in 1989, and a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives from President Bill Clinton in 1999. Jose was a veteran of the U.S. Army (1953-55) and served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as a Battalion Operations Sergeant. Jose will be remembered as a very generous and giving person. He was committed to improving the lives of veterans and their families in the South Texas region, and received numerous awards and recognitions for his work. He invested in the futures of hundreds of VA employees during his career, and served as a preceptor to over 60 healthcare administrative trainees. His fatherly advice will be fondly remembered by all the lives he touched and he will be missed by all. Jose R. Coronado was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro Coronado and Otila Coronado Garza, also by his brother Ernesto R. Coronado. He is survived by his brother Pedro Coronado Jr. of Salado, TX, and his sisters, Guadalupe Cuellar of Corpus Christi, TX, Berta Corkill of Benavides, TX, Gloria Spencer Of San Antonio, TX, and Macarita Young of Houston, TX. He is also survived by his Goddaughter Leslie "Nikki" Fisher of Boerne, TX. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church (202 W. Kronkosky St., Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 816-2233), with Father Tony Cummins as celebrant. A reception in Jose's honor will be held at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Jose's name. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.vaughanfuneralhome.com Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Vaughan's Funeral Home of Boerne.