Joe Stires

Joe Stires, 92, passed away Monday September 2, 2024 in Chaparral NM.

A lifelong resident of the El Paso area, Joe was born on April 2, 1932 to Lloyd and Soledad (Carrillo) Stires. He attended Austin High School before joining the U.S. Air Force. He served at Biggs Field until leaving the service in 1959 as an NCO. While there, he met and married the love of his life, Matilde Castaneda, with whom he raised a loving family of six children.

Joe was an insurance agent in East El Paso for many years before starting an independent grocery in Chaparral in 1977. Over 47 years, he grew the business to three locations serving the Chaparral area. He also became certified as an EMT and served as a volunteer in the Chaparral Fire Department for 24 years. He was active in his faith, attending St. Thomas Moore Parish for 47 years. In his spare time, Joe loved to travel with family and friends, going through several passports over the years.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Matilde Stires, son Raymond Stires, and siblings Roberto Stires, Dora Meeks, Alicia Perez, Esperanza Gregg and Lucille Sharar. 

He is survived by four sons Joe L. Stires (Jenny), Robert A. Stires (Susan), Richard D. Stires (Rosa) and Michael A. Stires (Maxine) and two daughters, Rosalie A. Ampey (Ron) and Susan L. Gonzalez (Joe), 10 grandchildren (Joshua & Amanda Ampey, Tonya, Maegen and Melanie Stires, Michele, Elizabeth and Andrew Stires, Joseph and Brianna Gonzalez) 11 great-grandchildren and by his sisters Mary Booth and Ruth Kiser.

A viewing for Joe will be held on Monday, September 9th from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m at Sunset Funeral Home, 4631 Hondo Pass. His funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 10 at St. Thomas Moore in Chaparral. Burial will follow at Desert View Cemetery in Chaparral where he will be buried next to his wife of 64 years.