Joseph Roxie Navarro

Joseph Roxie Navarro, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away in Houston on the 16th of May 2014, in Houston.

Joseph, also known as “JR,” was born in Houston on the 15th of October 1933, the oldest child of Roxie J. Navarro and Helen Carubbi Navarro.

His father and grandfather owned Star Bottling Works at 1010 North San Jacinto. They bottled “Grapette,” Barq’s Root Beer and a wine cooler since the turn of the century. JR learned the “soda water bottling business” from his father and his Uncle “Toot.” They eventually owned and operated Pepsi-Cola of Houston until the 1960s. After selling the Pepsi Cola Franchise, JR went on to work for Golden Age and other soft drink companies. He owned and operated Beverage CO2, a Coca Cola distributorship, for many years.

JR was the eldest of the extended Texas - Italian Navarro family. He and his siblings, Charles Frank and Cynthia were raised by their mother and father in central Houston with their Aunt Josie Marie Navarro Campise and Uncle Anthony “Toot” Campise, co-owners in the family business which included various real estate properties in downtown Houston.

JR graduated from St. Thomas High School in Houston and attended The University of Texas and The University of Houston. He was an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

JR resided in Houston and Pearland most of his life and then retired to Wimberley, Texas in the hill country with his wife Donna.  Joe spent the last years of his life near family in Friendswood. He was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Pearland, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wimberley where he was a member of the ACTS retreat and a Eucharistic minister, and finally Mary Queen Catholic Church of Friendswood, Texas JR was a proud member of Knights of Columbus Council #8494 and Fourth Degree Assembly #2084. He attended mass daily and was devout in prayer every morning.

JR had a charismatic, effervescent personality, which drew people to him; he was often the life of the party. His favorite times were spent with family and friends, traveling to the Texas hill country, Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Diego, Europe and various other destinations.

JR was an avid sports enthusiast, supporting The University of Houston, Rice University and Texas A&M University athletics. He enjoyed playing poker and Gin Rummy, handicapping college football, and Vegas craps. JR was an avid hunter. He spent much of his free time playing and watching golf as a member of Horseshoe Bay Country Club and Golfcrest Country Club.

JR volunteered his time as his as a board member at Golfcrest Country Club and was president of his homeowners association in Green Tee, Pearland. During his tenure, the neighborhood began an organized effort to decorate with white lights at Christmas. Many people still enjoy viewing the lights today during the holidays. Through the Knights of Columbus, JR chaired fundraising activities and co-chaired the church bizarre and festivals. He chaired Father Everett’s 50th Jubilee celebration at St. Mary’s in Wimberley.

JR was preceded in death by his father, Roxie J. Navarro; and mother, Helen Carubbi Navarro of Houston; sister, Cynthia Navarro Caliva; aunt, Josie Marie Campise; uncle, Anthony “Toot” Campise; and wife, Donna Dow Navarro.

JR is survived by Judy Navarro; sons, Rocky J. Navarro, Joe A. Navarro and his wife, Stacia; daughters, Suzanne R. Navarro and her fiancé Clayton Hardman, and Alyssa Navarro Toomes and her husband, Chris. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Tiffany and Antonia “Toni” Navarro of Austin, Summer and Max Pousman of Houston, and Walker and Avery Toomes of Friendswood. Lastly, he is survived by his brother Charles Frank Navarro and his wife Camila.

JR’s extended family includes nephews, Craig Navarro and Todd Caliva; nieces Kim Navarro Montalbano and her husband Joe, Heather Navarro White and her husband Don, Courtney Caliva Teague and her husband Ray, Tracie Caliva Durrett and husband, Brad, and Nicole Navarro; and brother-in-law, Anthony Caliva and his wife Barbara.

Family and friends gathered for a visitation last Monday evening, the 19th of May, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, in Houston, where there was also a recitation of the holy rosary.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at eleven o'clock Tuesday morning, the 20th of May, at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood Drive in Friendswood.

Honored to serve as casket bearers during the services were Craig Navarro, Todd Caliva, Walker Toomes, Max Pousman, Charles F. Navarro, John “Bat” Oggero, and Don Matheny.

Honorary pallbearers were Charles Reginin and Mike Baker.

The Rite of Committal followed, via an escorted cortège, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

Immediately following, friends greeted the family during a reception at the Golfcrest Country Club in Friendswood.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in JR’s name be directed to Vantage Hospice, 21720 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX, 77450; or to MD Anderson Cancer Center. P.O. Box 297153, Houston, TX, 77297.