Jose Estrada Guevara

Jose “Joe” Estrada Guevara
Apr 9, 1934 – May 12, 2024
Joe Guevara, age 90, loved by many leaves behind stepdaughters Dorene Gonzalez and Teresa
Marin, numerous grandchildren and too many to count great-grandchildren. Joe loved his family,
and it is apparent in the numerous photos of him holding the little ones in his arms.
Joe wore many hats in life when it came to work and it all started down in Calexico, Ca. Born in 1934
to a farm working father, Federico and raised at home by his mother, Maria Luisa until he was old
enough to attend school in a migrant student program. Once old enough to work in the fields, he
would attend school in the mornings and work with his father and older brother Arturo in the
afternoons. His family settled in Delano, Ca in the forties where he made many friends and future
business associates. He spent many years as a Community Service Organizer and that eventually
led him to Caesar Chavez and the UFW. He helped Caesar organize strikes in many parts of the
nation and was instrumental in the journey of the Farmworker Freedom Bell from the docks of New
Jersey to New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral where they began a big publicity campaign for the bell’s
journey to Forty Acres UFW headquarters in Delano, Ca with stops at every major city along the way.
Joe eventually leaned full time into his family’s multiple businesses. He owned and rented
apartments to farm workers. He and his brother opened many bars over the years and in many parts
of central California always centered near farm working communities in Bakersfield, Delano,
Richgrove and Hanford. The last bar they ran was the El Morocco in Delano. He also built a small
hotel on the same block as the El Morocco and named it Hotel “Rayado” after his deceased brother
Arturo’s nickname.
Joe finally retired in the 90’s and lived out most of the remainder of his life with his love, Phyllis
Galvan in their home on Lexington St. in Delano. This is where over the years, his grandkids and
their kids would come to visit and sit with him to hear his stories of the “old days”. He so enjoyed
having the little ones running around the yard and cherished their laughter.
Thank you for the precious memories Grandpa Joe. Rest In Peace and give Nana our love.
Viewing is from 5:30-8:30 pm Tuesday May 21st at Alma Funeral Home located at 2130 E. California
Ave in Bakersfield, Ca.
Funeral Mass will be held the following day at 1 pm at The Our Lady of Guadalupe Church located at
1015 Clinton St in Delano, Ca with graveside services at North Kern cemetery immediately following
mass.

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