GUERRERO, Joel Irvine
was born March 9, 1942 in Tucson, AZ. He passed away on February 18, 2017 at the age of 74, after a long battle with melanoma. Joel graduated from Catalina High School (1960) and Northern Arizona University (1970). Many may also remember Joel as a "lively" member of the Phi Gamma Delta ("Fiji") Fraternity while attending the University of Arizona, where he met and fell in love with "his Jeanne" and married her in 1966 before he enlisted in the US Navy and was shipped off overseas aboard the USS Kittyhawk in 1969. Joel was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1971; and shortly thereafter, Joel and Jeanne returned to Tucson to settle and raise their growing family. Joel was in the paint business for more than 33 years. He was the Vice President of Southwestern Paint for 24 years, and then went on to own his own business, Factory Paint and Roof Coating. Family was everything to Joel, and he truly cherished Jeanne's home cooked meals, and being present to support and encourage all of his children's activities. Joel's life mottos were "keep it simple" and "can do!" Joel will be remembered by his loved ones and friends as the life of any party - full of silly jokes, songs and funny sayings, a contagious laugh, and dance moves that made everyone smile. Joel is preceded in death by his father, Edward V. Guerrero; his mother, Patricia J. (Doyle) Sutherland; his older brother, Edward "Eddie" H. Guerrero; younger sister, Elizabeth "Bethy" A. Dunlao and his devoted wife of 47 years, Jeanette L. (Reynolds) Guerrero. He is survived by his sister, Margo E. (David) Ohmart; his three children, Joel C. Guerrero, Jennifer (Robert) Leischow, Jordan (Ian) Flynn and five grandchildren, Ethan, Logan, Emma, Braden and Ava. The family wishes to give special thanks to the patient, kind and dedicated staff at the Tucson VA Hospital and Hospice Center for taking such great care of our papa until the very end. A Memorial Service will be held at HUDGEL'S SWAN FUNERAL HOME, Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.