JOE ACUNA III

1945 - 2021

Joe Kookie Acuna III was born December 17, 1945 in Calexico, CA. He passed away on May 11, 2021 at the age of 75 of complications due to Progressive Dementia. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Acuna Jr. and mother, Maria Antonieta Acuna . Joe married the love of his life Blanca Quintana on January 25, 1976 in El Centro, CA. Joe started working at a very young age at his fathers appliance store which was established in the mid 1950s. By age 13 Joe was driving his Dads pick-up trucks all around town, which was his favorite part of working for his family. By the time Joe became a teenager he had saved enough money to buy a 1954 Mercury. He would eventually convert it into a custom hot rod, which was his pride and joy. Joe was an outstanding athlete in High School. He played Varsity Football as a Freshman. He was a lineman for the Calexico Bulldogs, and was named All Valley his senior year. When Joe was a Freshman in High School, he had built one of several successful businesses. One of which was a small metal foundry that produced custom mag wheels and also owned the first window tinting business in the Imperial Valley, which was done in liquid form. At the age of 16 Joe started working for Safeway Store in Calexico, it wasnt long before he was promoted to Produce Manager. Joe was also selected by Safeway/Vons Senior Management in 1981 to appear in a TV commercial which ran for nine months throughout Southern California, due to his outstanding sales in production and customer service. That same year the president of Safeway sent him to Culiacan, Sinaloa to update the ordering system of a chain of markets, Joe said, It was the most fulfilling job hes ever has had been displaying and merchandising produce. During his 43 year career with Safeway/Vons he would work in all Imperial Valley Stores. While still employed at Vons, Joe decided he wanted to start his own Landscaping Company. In 1991 he obtained his Contractors License and and formed the Company Advance Service Inc. for 24 years. His love of landscape design would transend into building water features, ponds, new construction and beautiful desert sceneries. One of which Joe had the privilege of designing the landscape of the Calexico Outlets. He took pride in all of his professional endevours. Joe was also proud to service many major Commercial Corporations throughout the Imperial and Coachella Valley. Joes love of Art can be seen through his landscape designs. Joe sold the business Advance Service Inc. in 2015 and retired. Joe was very much into living healthy and exercising. He competed in several body building contests. By the age of 40 he won the title of Mr. Mexicali Body Building for his age group. Joe was very well known and liked throughout the Imperial Valley. He spent many countless hours helping the homeless, giving of food and clothing whenever he saw anyone in need. Joe will always be remembered by his love of life, his beautiful smile and infectious laughter, his love of God, and love of caring for all. He is survived by his beloved wife, Blanca Quintana Acuna of 45 years, who was the love of his life, which in turn Joe was her world. Their sons, Daniel Erik and Roman (Abigail) grandaughter, Anabel Joe Acuna IV (Lorena) Mark Acuna; grandchildren, Mariah, Sarah and Joey. His brothers and sisters, Toni Soto, Gil Acuna, Aida Rascon, Marta Cruz, Ernie Acuna, Rosa Maria Acuna-Noya and Jorge Acuna; numerous nieces and nephews. The Acuna family sincerely thanks Casa Elite, Irma and her dedicated staff for the Loving care they provided for their loving husband/father. They are forever grateful. Joe will forever be missed. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday June 16, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Calexico. Graveside services immediately following at Mt. View Cemetery, Calexico, CA.