Joaquin Codina III

Joaquin (Jake) Codina III passed from this life on January 18, 2024. He was the youngest of four children born in Mission, Texas on November 25, 1942, to parents, Joaquin Codina Jr. and Antonia Longoria Codina.
In elementary school, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Jake enjoyed playing baseball. In high school, he ran track and played varsity basketball. He also participated in the varsity and letterman's club. Jake graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1966. He worked as a chemical engineer for Amoco for about 30 years before retiring from the company. His first big purchase out of college was his beloved 1968 Corvette, which he loved to cruise around town with the top down. On January 24, 1970, Jake married his beloved wife Irma Maria Tamez. His job started the newlyweds in Houston, Texas but over the next 20 years his job would take his family to Blue Springs, Missouri, then Chicago, Illinois and eventually back to Houston, Texas. Jake and Irma raised two girls. Jake was an involved, protective, and loving father.
Jake served and was devoted to his church, St. Anthony of Padua before and after it was established in 1977. He collected pledges to raise funds to help build St. Anthony and enjoyed participating in second family (a group which helped families in need) for many years. He also found joy serving others through volunteering at The Fellowship of The Woodlands.
Jake loved sports. Along with playing sports, he enjoyed watching sports. He kept up with many sports including basketball, football, baseball, and golf. He coached little league before his daughters came into his life and he played baseball as an adult for many years. As he got older, he enjoyed playing golf with friends and colleagues multiple times a week. During a senior golf group, he met one of his best friends Mike Huckaby. Jake and Mike played over 900 rounds before retiring from the sport. However, that didn't stop Jake from being involved in sports. He and Mike started a contest that lasted all year long. From football bowl games to March madness, to the golf tournament, he and Mike kept busy betting who would pick the most winners for each sport. Jake had an incredible memory that also served him well in the knowledge of sports. He could tell you who the quarterback was for Texas in 1959 or who pitched the World Series in 1979 or who were the all-time best pitchers for the Astros. He always cheered on and remained loyal to his home-town teams. However, when it came to colleges, he was only loyal to one Hook'em horns!
Family was essential to Jake. It became a tradition to travel from up north to the Valley down south to visit family during the holidays (in 20 years, missing only one). Any family gatherings were a priority and Jake would make every effort for his immediate family to attend. Jake's family carried out Family Reunions that lasted for 20 years, occasional sibling reunions and many other family gatherings on both sides that were always filled with singing, laughter, and love. Jake was always his girls and grandkids biggest fan in any sport or activity. He enjoyed watching as many games, meets or activities as he was able to attend. He always looked for ways to bring the family together through vacations, meals, and visits. Jake never hesitated to show love and support to any family member at any time. He loved unconditionally.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents Joaquin Codina Jr. and Antonia Longoria Codina, sisters and brothers-in -law Emma Lamar Vela (Rolando) and Rosa Maria Huerta (Pete), Dora Elva Dovalina (David). He is survived by wife Irma Codina, children Melinda Fenter (Kyle), Christina Whitt (Shawn), grandchildren Michael Whitt, Alex Whitt, Bryce Fenter and Landon Fenter, great grandson James Whitt and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A rosary at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00 p.m. will be held for Jake on Friday, February 16, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in, The Woodlands, Texas with priest Jessie Garcia and Deacon Richard Reyes officiating.