Joe Mills Tejada

Joe Mills Tejada, 84, passed away peacefully in San Antonio, Texas on January 1, 2026. He was born
on June 28, 1941 in Floresville, Texas and was the youngest child of John Banks Tejada and Lena
Mills Tejada. Being the baby of 9 children, he was affectionately called the Golden Child, a title he
lived up to throughout his life. Joe was a dedicated worker for 44 ½ years at Floresville Electric Light
& Power Service (FELPS) as a Lineman Foreman, where he was known for his reliability and
commitment to his job. Even after retiring, he often remarked that he could still be working, reflecting
his strong work ethic and passion for his career.
After the passing of his brother John, Joe took over coaching young men for his brother's baseball
team, dedicating many years to shaping the lives of young athletes on and off the baseball field. He
managed the Floresville Tigers baseball team in the Bluebonnet League from the late 1980s to the
1990s, leading them to several championships. Joe's mentorship extended beyond the diamond,
leaving a lasting impression on generations of local youth.
Joe was well known in the music community as a passionate promoter for music festivals, especially
during the early years of the Peanut Festival in Floresville. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he ran
the Impala Club, later renamed Tejas Ballroom, which was owned by his good friend Delmiro Garcia.
Joe brought renowned Tejano artists such as Roberto Pulido, Laura Canales, La Sombra, The
Goodtime Band, and a young Selena Quintanilla to the club, nurturing a vibrant musical scene in his
community. Later, he purchased land downtown and established "The Patio," where he hosted Tejano
dances during the Peanut Festival, featuring artists like Emilio Navaira, Little Joe y La Familia, Ruben
Ramos, Joe Lopez y Grupo Mazz, and many others. His love for music and community brought joy to
countless people, and he treasured every moment spent sharing these passions.
In his personal life, Joe enjoyed going to the dog races in Corpus Christi with his brother Frank
"Chino" Tejada and making trips to casinos in Coushatta and Marksville, Louisiana. These adventures
brought him much happiness and lasting memories with family and friends.
He was met in heaven with open arms by his parents and all his siblings: John Tejada Jr.
(Genevieve), David "Blackie" Tejada (Carrie), Daniel "Red" Tejada (Dora "Lola"), Alex "Pochon"
Tejada (Gloria), Louis "Curley" Tejada, Frank "Chino" Tejada, Florinda "Chona" Villarreal (Cipriano),
and Beatrice T. Cantú (Louis), and many nieces and nephews.
Those left to cherish and carry on his legacy are his wife Maria Z. Tejada; children Zelda Lopez
(Alex), Jody Tejada, and John Tejada; stepchildren Eric Valdez, Julia Picard, and Jennifer West
(Tanner); sister-in-law Olga Tejada; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces,
nephews, extended family, and friends.
Joe will be remembered for his devotion to family, his unwavering work ethic, and his kind and
generous spirit. He touched many lives and leaves behind a legacy of love, music, and community
service. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren.
Funeral services to celebrate Joe's life will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Sacred Heart
Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM, Rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM, and Funeral
Mass at 11:00 AM. Entombment will follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Mausoleum.

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