Joseph Rafael Melendez

Joseph Rafael Melendez, age 39, born in Waco, Texas, on January 28, 1986, passed away, April 11, 2025. 

Joseph a.k.a. Jojo or Baby Joe was a lover of life and had a thrill for nature and adventure. Hiking the trails, fishing the lakes, hunting, camping/glamping, & tattoos were his go to. He was big on family and friends and always ready to have a good time. 

Joseph loved his job as a law enforcement officer - he began here in Lacy Lakeview until he moved with the love of his life, Shanna, to Corpus Christi in 2016 and has since then worked in multiple departments within the Corpus Christi area. He had St. Michael, the guardian angel of police, tattooed on his chest for protection on the job. 

His son, Asher, was born in July 2016 and changed his life forever. Joseph was always an amazing son, brother, & uncle to so many. Now a husband and father of his very own. He loved them more than life itself and would do anything to see them smile. Asher was definitely his pride and joy. 

Joseph is survived by his wife, Shanna Melendez and son, Asher Melendez; mother, Maria Reyes and partner, Gillerma 'Velma' Garcia; father, Lino Melendez and wife, Dolores; sister, Anna Perry and husband, Stephen; brother Lino Melendez and wife, Carla; brother, Thomas Melendez and wife, Breanne; and many nieces and nephews. 

His Celebration of Life will be held April 24th from 10-11 am at Pecan Grove Funeral Home followed by a potluck gathering at Sacred Heart Church Knights Hall.