Hector Joseph Luevano

Hector Joseph “Joe” Luevano of Petaluma, California passed away to be with his Lord, Sunday, January 28, 2024, just shy of his 99th birthday.

He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Nadine Furtado-Luevano, his daughter, Leslie Luevano Rose, his granddaughter Stephanie Michelle Rose, his grandson, Erynn Michael Rose, and grandchildren, Spencer Lloyd Rose, and Bronwyn Faye Rose. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marian Faye Graybill Luevano, and his second, Joyce Evelyn Sanders Luevano.

Born February 15, 1925, in San Diego, California, the eldest of four, to Mildred Monica Barton and Daniel Vasquez Luevano, he lived his entire life in the Golden State. His siblings, Daniel, Mary and Arthur, lived out their lives in Southern California, and all predeceased him. But Hector, known affectionately to family and friends, as Joe, in the last year of WWII came north to the San Francisco Bay area, where he was stationed with the Navy at Treasure Island, training to be a dental technician. It was on a bit of leave with a friend that he traveled to Petaluma and met and fell in love with was his first wife Faye. They were married shortly thereafter, and Joe, loving the area and Faye’s family took up residence in Petaluma, working, at one point, at the Purity Grocery Store on Western Avenue and then at the Petaluma Co-operative Creamery, where he continues for 37 years, ultimately becoming a foreman before he retired.

As a young man, Joe had worked at a casket factory with his father, Daniel. It was there that he learned woodworking skills, which in 1963-1964 he put to good use building a house on a hill overlooking Penngrove. When Faye passed away, a victim of cancer, Joe began dating his second wife, Joyce, who was also an employee of the creamery. After they were married, they enjoyed traveling. During their travels Joe continues to develop his photography skills, a passion that he had acquired in his 20’s. As a member of a local camera club, he received many awards.

When wife Joyce passed away, Joe knew Nadine through their church, and they found they had much in common. Before long they were married. Since they were both passionate about travel and photography, they continued exploring the world and enjoyed many adventures together, and with SIRS 58, where Joe was a member of. The church, Sovereign Grace Community Church, was a large part of Joe’s later years and he became member of the Gideons spreading, “The Word” as part of the commitment. Through all his years, Joe remained young at heart, and when this last year, he went into DMV to renew his driver’s license, they gave him an extension to the age of 103. He joked that surely that meant that he couldn’t pass away until then. How we wish that was so.

A private graveside service has been held for the family at Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. But the family would like to invite all friends and acquaintances who know Joe to join us at a Celebration of Life at Petaluma Valley Baptist Church; 5805 Sonoma Mountain Parkway on February 15, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. to help us commemorate his life on what would have been his 99th birthday.

Donations can be made to Gideon’s International in Joe’s memory.