Joel Harvey Klein

1943 - 2024

Joel Harvey Klein
July 1, 1943 - March 27, 2024
Joel Klein passed away peacefully on March 27, 2024, at the age of 80. Joel was born on July 1,1943, in San Antonio, Texas to Lester and Jeanette Klein.

After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1961 he followed in his parents' footsteps and was off to Austin where he attended the University of Texas and majored in business and commerce. While in undergrad, Joel was a member of the Tau Delt fraternity. After graduation he attended law school at the University of Texas and married his high school sweetheart, Ann Eisenstein. They were married for 15 years and together they had three children; Alyssa, Meryl and Matthew. After graduation, they moved back to San Antonio where Joel practiced law with his father, Lester, at Klein and Klein, LLC and enjoyed a very successful commercial law practice for 56 years. Joel was the first attorney in San Antonio to be certified as a specialist in commercial law. He was a recipient of numerous awards from the Texas State Bar Association and the Commercial Law League of America.
Joel was committed to his Agudas Achim Synagogue and his Jewish community. He served as President of the board for 2 years and loved being a part of the BBQ cookoff there. Joel eventually remarried his beloved Carol Chandler and together they traveled the world. He was also passionate about wine and was a member of the San Antonio chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. He and Carol traveled extensively to enjoy food and wine with this organization.

Joel was the king of the BBQ and was known to bottle his delicious BBQ sauce and gift them to lucky friends and family. He also loved to travel in RVs for family vacations to visit all the national parks. He was the best handyman around and had a spotless garage full of tools that he loved to work with on special home and garden projects.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Jeanette Klein, and his wife, Carol Klein. Joel is survived by his children: Alyssa Tiras (Mitchell), Meryl Metni. (Alan), Matt Klein (Lee Stern); grandchildren, Jordann and Tom Savage, Carly Tiras, Eliana Metni, Mia Metni, Layla Metni, Ava Metni, Gabriel Klein, Zachary Klein, Jonas Klein; and sister Paula Bernstein (Howard).

In the face of adversity exemplified by his battle with Parkinsons Disease, he displayed unparalleled strength and never complained. But perhaps what we will remember most about him is his remarkable grace in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges he faced he never lost his sense of humor, his kindness, or his love for those closest to him. Joel taught us the true meaning of courage and resilience.

Thank you to Lydia Castillo and Nat Lopez for their endless patience, constant companionship and caregiving over the years.

Rabbi Jonathan Hodson will officiate graveside services on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 2pm. Agudas Achim Memorial Gardens, 1727 Austin Highway 78209.

For those unable to attend, a livestream of Joel's service will be available within his obituary at www.porterloring.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Congregation Agudas Achim, 16550 Huebner Rd. San Antonio, TX 78248 or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research www.give.michaeljfox.org.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com

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