Jose Ballesteros

1938 - 2025

Jose Cardenas Ballesteros passed away on October 12, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born in Concord, California, to Doroteo and Margarita on July 7, 1938.
Raised in Pittsburg, California, for his early years, Jose and his family relocated to Douglas, Arizona, to live closer to family, when he was five. With family roots in both Fronteras, Sonora, and El Rosario, Guerrero, Chihuahua, Mexico, Jose was proud of his Mexican heritage and loved retelling family stories with fondness.
He attended Douglas schools and graduated from Douglas High School in 1957. During high school, he was an avid football player and enlisted in the Army National Guard. After graduation, Jose attended the University of Arizona, where he joined ROTC and worked with the Army Corps of Engineers on the installation of Titan missile silos in Southern Arizona, underground launch sites for the Titan intercontinental ballistic missiles. He earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona. His professional career included working at Fort Huachuca in communications with Frederich Research, Pan American Airlines, and Bell Aerosystems. He also worked at Hughes Aircraft in Tucson Engineering Laboratories (TEL), from which he retired.
Later in life, Jose pursued a second career in education, earning a degree in teaching and dedicating his time to teaching math. He also retired from the Army National Guard with the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Jose had a love of coaching, and watching sports. He coached basketball at Loretto Catholic School in Douglas, Arizona. For years, Jose coached his children's soccer teams with AYSO in Tucson, Arizona. He loved watching sports, his favorite games and matches to watch were the ones that his children played in. He was a devoted fan of University of Arizona basketball and football, always cheering on the Wildcats with enthusiasm.
Jose is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine; sons Jose (Maria) and granddaughter Maya, Rene (Amanda) and granddaughter Katie; daughters Elisa and granddaughter Ava, Lia, Celina, Margarita (Jon) and granddaughter Paloma; and his brother-in-law Rolando (Connie).
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to friends and family for their support during this time, and to the staff at TMC Hospice Peppi's House for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Carrillo's Tucson Mortuary (South Chapel), located at 240 S. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701. A Rosary will take place at the same location that day at 2:00 p.m.
The Mass will be held the following day, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Church, 602 W. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713.
Interment will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705.