Jose Rafael Munoz

Obituary of Jose Rafael Munoz

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Jose Rafael Muñoz, a devoted servant of God, gifted musician, and beloved brother, passed away on February 28, 2026, at 10:05 PM at the age of 70. While he passed elsewhere, he was a proud and dedicated resident of Granbury, Texas, for 28 years.

A Life of Talent and Transition: Born in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, Jose moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of two with his parents, Enrique and Maria Muñoz. After studying Business Management, Jose entered the hospitality industry, managing the family's Mexican restaurant alongside his older brother and rising to the pinnacle of the industry at various clubs and hotels across the United States and Mexico.

As a child, Jose was a musical prodigy who mastered the violin with very little formal training. Although he set the violin aside as a teenager, his passion for music never faded; he later picked up the guitar and found his voice in singing, which became a cornerstone of his worship.

A Journey of Faith: In 1980, Jose's life was transformed when he became an evangelical Christian. His faith became his guiding light, eventually leading him to step away from his professional success to answer a call to missions. In a humble act of devotion, he traveled as far as New York, visiting numerous churches to gain support for his missionary work before returning to his birthplace in the Yucatán Peninsula.

As a missionary, Jose chose a path of service over comfort. He traveled to the most rural, poverty-stricken pueblos, sharing the Gospel and his music under thatched roofs and in homes with dirt floors. He witnessed firsthand the power of faith to change lives and families.

Strength in Every Season: Upon returning to the United States, Jose continued to work with dedication in various roles, including ten years at a furniture store and as a chef at a private club in Granbury. While life brought inevitable struggles, he always leaned on his faith to see him through.

In his 28 years in Granbury, Jose found peace on his large property, where he enjoyed gardening, working on home projects, and finding "treasures" at local garage sales. He was a constant presence in his church, where he participated in praise and worship, and he maintained a deeply close bond with his family, who remained by his side until the very end.

A Peaceful Departure: Following a diagnosis of esophageal cancer in June 2025, Jose was supported by the love of his siblings and the fellowship of his church community. He faced his illness with the same unwavering faith that guided his life's journey. Jose knew that this life was only part of the journey; he was at peace, entering eternity without fear to join his Lord.

Family and Legacy: Jose was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Enrique and Maria Muñoz. He is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Spaun and her husband, Steve Spaun; his brothers, Henry, Edward, and Fernando Muñoz; and his sisters-in-law, Patti (wife of Fernando), Betty (wife of Edward), and Nanette (wife of Henry). He is also remembered by a host of extended family, friends, and fellow congregants.

Memorial Service: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Generations Church of Granbury, 5718 East Hwy 377, Granbury, TX 76049.

Graveside Service: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Burleson Memorial Cemetery, 490 Memorial Plaza, Burleson, TX 76028.

Memorial Donations: In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jose's honor to: Generations Church of Granbury, 5718 East Hwy 377, Granbury, Texas 76049.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." - Psalm 104:33