Jose “Joe” Longoria, 82, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, February 27, 2012, at the Ft. Dodge Kansas Soldier’s Home in Dodge City, Kansas.

Joe was born on October 26, 1929, in Donna, Texas, the son of Emmitt and Genevive (Anzaldua) Longoria.  He grew up in Mission, Texas and graduated from high school in 1947.  After high school he joined the United States Army until 1948.  After leaving the army he attended a technical college and pursued a career as a medical lab technician.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Jane Snyder on September 21, 1951, in Ada, Oklahoma.  From this union they were blessed with three children Linda, Stevan and Tina.  The family lived in Bartlesville, Oklahoma for many years and moved to Russell, Kansas in 1961.  Joe worked at the Russell Regional Hospital and was in charge of the lab.  He retired from the hospital in 1985 but continued to work as a lab technician for various hospitals in the surrounding area for several years.  When he became very ill he moved to the Ft. Dodge Kansas Soldier’s Home in July of 2011.  He was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church of Russell and also attended the Church of Christ on occasion.  He enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting and also enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys and Texas University football teams.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include his wife Jane of Russell; son Stevan Longoria and wife Maggie of Chico, California; daughters Linda Jane VanderMolen and husband Jim of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Tina Ann Olson and husband John of Sulphur, Louisiana; sister Lupita Bland of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren Angela, Sara, Elena, Sean, Jessica and Matt and 3 Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and 4 sisters.

A graveside celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Richard Fobes officiating.  Cremation has preceded the services so there will be no viewing.  The guestbook will be available from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Friday, March 2nd at the mortuary.  There is no memorial and the family has requested that no flowers be sent.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the graveside services.