What is your first memory of Joe? Share a favorite memory you have of Joe. Tell us about a special moment you shared with Joe. Describe a time when Joe made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about Joe? Talk about a shared experience you had with Joe. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Joe. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Joe. What is something you learned from Joe?

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Joe Louis De La Zerda

Obituary

Guest Book

Joe De La Zerda Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24, 2005.

De La ZERDA, Joe Louis
Joe Louis De La Zerda passed away peacefully on February 18, 2005, at home in Folsom, CA. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Hideko, son Philip, daughters Annette Lusk and Elicia Sweet and grandchildren Philip, Erica, Glenna, and Zane. Joe is also survived by brother Adolfo De La Zerda of Oroville, CA. Joe was born in Floresville, in his beloved state of Texas, on October 26, 1926. As a youngster Joe built up a passion for airplanes, and after moving to Los Angeles in 1940, he joined the Civil Air Patrol where he received his first "flying." experience. After serving in the Army/Air Force Joe became a mechanic for Trans Ocean Airlines. While working for Trans Ocean, he learned to fly and became a Flight Engineer, traveling all over the world. Soon an opportunity came up at the Flying Tiger Line and Joe took advantage, soon becoming a co-pilot flying a Boeing 707. Joe advanced and became a captain flying DC-8s and eventually was a captain piloting 747s. Joe retired from Flying Tiger Line on Oct. 25, 1986, landing and taxiing a huge 747 into a hanger for the last time. Joe's passion for flying did not quit at his retirement. When he was not flying a 747, he was flying his Cessna 182, a radio-controlled model plane, or even a flight simulator on his PC. After his retirement, Joe volunteered his services (and his plane) as part of the Flying Samaritans organization, transporting doctors and nurses to impoverished areas of Mexico. Joe was proud of his Spanish American ancestry and was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and of the Canary Islands Descendants Assoc. Joe was a loving and honorable man and will be missed by all who knew him. Joe will be remembered at a service for friends and family at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church (307 Montrose Drive) in Folsom, CA, on Friday, Feb. 25 with a reception to follow afterward. The family requests that flowers or donations need not be sent.

View All Photos

Add Photos to Memorial

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Joe De La Zerda's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

February 26, 2005

Barbara Orr posted to the memorial.

February 26, 2005

David Lusk posted to the memorial.

February 25, 2005

Bettilou Harder posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

Barbara Orr

February 26, 2005

I am David's older sister and unfortunately never was able to meet Joe. My brother thought a lot of Joe. I just want to say how much I appreciate the friendship he shared with my brother. I know that all of you who knew and loved him will miss him very much. We all will meet him again some day. Until then God Speed and I hope he landed saftely.

My condolences to the family.

God Bless, Barbara & John Orr

David Lusk

February 26, 2005

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end for each of us.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.

All the things we collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.

Our wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what we owned or what we were owed.

Our grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.

So too, our hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where we came from or what side of the tracks we lived on at the end.

It won't matter whether we were beautiful or brilliant.

Even our gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of our days be measured?

In my view, Joe set a pretty good example…

What matters is not what we buy, but what we built; not what we received, but what we gave.

Joe helped to build and gave much of himself to many other.

What will matter is not our success, but our significance.

Joe had a significant impact on other by the way he lived his life.

What will matter is not what we learned, but what we taught.

Joe taught others who were willing to learn.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

Joe encompassed all of these attributes.

What will matter is not our competence, but our character.

What will matter is not how many people we knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when we're gone.

Anyone who knew Joe will feel his loss for years to come.

What will matter is not our memories, but the memories that live in those who loved us.

His memory and the contibutions he made to many lives will last.

What will matter is how long we will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.

It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Joe choose to live a life that mattered.

Joe loved flying and was not just a Pilot. He was a true Aviator and in loving memory, the following;

Flight is freedom in its purest form,

To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;

To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,

To feel the joy that swells within.

To leave the earth with its

troubles and fly,

And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;

Then back to the earth at the end of the day,

Released from the tensions which melted away.

Should my end come while I am in flight,

Whether brightest day or darkest night;

Spare me no pity and shrug off the pain,

Secure in the knowledge that I’d do it again.

For each of us is created to die,

And within me I know,

I was born to fly.

God Speed Joe

I look forward to flying with you again one day.

Your loving Son-In-Law...David

Bettilou Harder

February 25, 2005

Earl Campbell, who had his Cessna 172 hangared at Lincoln Airport near Joe's, wanted to be remembered to his family.

Over all those years, we all heard so many stories of his wonderful family, and we felt like we were part of the warmth and love that he always expressed about them.

Hideko was always a loving and generous friend to all of us and I always remember her gentle smile and her pride in Joe--An outstanding man.

Bettilou Harder

February 25, 2005

I sent an entry but being new to this electronic age, don't know if it went through.

However, just to be sure-----.

We will all remember Joe lovingly and thankfully for the gift of his friendship.

The years at Lincoln Airport were a precious memory and Joe is a large, brilliant part of the tapestry of smiles, sharing and caring.

Just thinking of him makes you smile and be grateful for the chance of being his friend.

How you can show support

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Follow this page

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Phil De La Zerda

February 23, 2005

Joe De La Zerda, my father, was an honorable man dedicated to his country and family. He lived a full life and was thankful at the end for the opportunities he had, for his children and grandchildren, and above all for his loving caring wife of 53 years.

The world will be a different place without you, Dad. We miss you.

Annette Lusk

February 23, 2005

My father was a great friend to many people. I look back on his relationship with me and I realize that he was so much more than just my father, he was my friend. He provided an arm to lean on and an ear to listen, he showed an interest in my hobbies, work and especially my family. No-one could ever ask for a better nor more wonderful grandfather.

Lord, Guide and protect my father on his last trip and provide fair weather and a smooth airstream for his final flight. See you at our final destination.

Love, Annette

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results