Joel Castillo Mojica

Joel C. Mojica, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, left us peacefully on December 25, 2022 after many months of loving and faithful care by his wife, Joy. He lived a long and fruitful life. He was 97 years old. What a Christmas blessing for Joel to enter Heaven on Christmas Day.
Joel Castillo Mojica was born in Uvalde, Texas on May 18, 1925 to Miguel and Paz Mojica and was the cherished brother to Miguel "Mike", Carolyn, Azeneth "Chene", Martha, Homer, and Rachel. Always ingenuitive, Joel, at a young age helped to support his family by raising chickens and pigeons to sell to his neighbors. Throughout the years, we lovingly listened to childhood memories Joel loved to share. One of which was how he walked home from school each day and stopped by the local gas station to drain cans of used oil to contribute to his family. Joel worked in carpentry alongside his father and would go on to hone his talents to become a master carpenter.
Having a strong and faithful upbringing following Christ, Joel was supported and prayed for faithfully by his parents and siblings while serving in World War II. Joel was drafted by the United States Army on October 29, 1943. After completing basic training in Hampton, England, Joel would go on to fight on the beaches of Normandy, France with the 79th Infantry Division of the 14th Battalion, a mere 4 days after the Normandy D-Day invasion. He was awarded the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster for his injuries sustained during battle. Joel was also decorated with four bronze stars, a good conduct medal and a World War II victory medal. Joel served his country valiantly and is remembered as a courageous decorated WWII veteran; a hero.
Joel moved to Austin, Texas where in December of 1964 he met the love of his life, Josephine "Joy" Sanchez. Joel and Joy were married on December 18, 1965. Joy and Joel celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this December.
Joel had the most incredible work ethic and always completed his projects and work with meticulous expertise. When he was not remodeling his own or other's homes or utilizing his carpentry prowess, Joel worked for many years as a building inspector for the City of Austin where he met many lifelong friends. Joel taught each of his sons and grandchildren the same commitment and work ethic.
A firm believer in servitude, mission work was of paramount importance to Joel. He and Joy served faithfully on many mission trips together in various states and countries including Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Mexico. For a multitude of years Joel was able to use his carpentry mastery to serve with the organization Builders for Christ. Alongside his dear friend Edward Sanchez, Joel built churches and repaired parsonages and dormitories to name a few, all the way into his 90s. Another facet of his servant's heart was to feed the homeless. Also well into his 90s, Joel volunteered with the Austin Baptist Chapel with his lifelong and dear friend, Frank Deutsch, at the Soup Kitchen. For many years Joel served in the preschool ministry where he taught the children about loving Jesus.
Although Joel lived the majority of his adult life in Austin, Texas, he did live for a short time in Houston, Texas and in Marietta, Georgia where he met many lifelong friends.
Joel was an avid football fan and cheered without fail, both in winning and losing seasons, for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns.
Joel was blessed with 6 grandchildren, Megan, Annie, Taryn, Rebekah, Haleigh and Matthew, and a great granddaughter Isabell; and so he lovingly became known as "Abuelo" to us all. On February 28, 2010 Abuelo performed the baptism of Taryn, Rebekah, Haleigh and Matthew at Bannockburn Baptist Church. What a privilege and blessing for him and to them.
Although Abuelo was known as a soldier, a missionary, a carpenter, and a philanthropist, his most important role was that of a prayer. This was the most important tenet in his life. To say that Abuelo was a prayer warrior is an understatement. Abuelo prayed, without ceasing, for his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his friends, those in need, and his country, faithfully every day. Of all of his legacies, this is the one that he desired to leave us all.
Joel will be greatly missed by each of us left here. Yet we are certain in his welcoming and eternal resting place with Jesus. Joel is survived by his wife of 57 years, Josephine "Joy" Mojica; his sons, Hiram (Robin) Mojica, Mark Mojica, Nowell (Carrie) Mojica, Gilbert "Gil" (Tracie) Mojica; his grandchildren, Annie (Colt) Orchard, Taryn (Entine) Ruiz, Rebekah Mojica, Haleigh Mojica, Matthew Mojica and Bryson Bertelson; his great granddaughter, Isabell; his siblings, Homer (Kathy) Mojica, Martha Grijalva and Rachel Niño; and his dear friends Frank Deutsch and Edward "Eddie" and Susan Sanchez and his loving and faithful dog, Bullet. Joel is preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Paz Mojica, his brother, Miguel "Mike" Mojica, his sisters Carolyn Villarreal and Azeneth "Chene" Hernandez; his son Neftali "Don" Mojica, and his granddaughter Megan Mojica.
Public visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Harrell Funeral Home of Austin Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Harrell Funeral Home of Austin Chapel followed by a reception with the family. A military burial will be held at a later date in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Joel was a passionate supporter of the Austin Baptist Church-the Soup Kitchen. Therefore, in lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that you consider making a donation at Austin Baptist Church, PO Box 143224, Austin, Texas 78714-3224.