The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Joseph T. Luna, Jr. of Orange, aged 60, passed away at his home in Pinehurst, surrounded by his loving family, after a long, hard-fought, courageous battle with cancer.

Joe was born on August 22, 1952, in Orange, to the late Josephine Arriola Luna and Joseph D. Luna, Sr. Joe was the ultimate outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, camping, barbequing, or just sitting around a fire pit with his many relatives and friends and an ice cold beer.

Joe is predeceased by his beloved mother, Josephine Arriola Luna of Orange. Also predeceasing Joe is his first wife, Virginia “Gigi” Mazzola Luna; several beloved aunts and uncles, his maternal grandparents Ella Sepulvada and John Arriola of Nacogdoches; and his paternal grandparents Annie Poskey and Joseph D. Luna of Nacogdoches and Orange.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Blanchard Christian Luna, who gave tirelessly and endlessly to caring for Joe throughout their eighteen and a half years of marriage.

Joe “Junior” is survived by his father, Joseph D. Luna of Orange; two children, Bridget Luna Trawhon of Orange, Joseph T. Luna III “Buppy” and wife Kiesha of Port Arthur. He was “Daddy Joe” to his three step-children, Lana Christian and Blake Murphy of Bridge City, E.J. Christian and his wife Jessica of McKinney, and Jake Christian and Liz of McKinney. His grandchildren and the light of his smile are Claire Trawhon of Orange, Landon and Jaxon Luna of Bridge City, Jake and Gage Christian of McKinney, Peyton Murphy, and Hannah Murph, both of Bridge City.

Joe is also survived by his sisters, Rita Luna Bourliea and husband Larry, and Shirley Luna Boudreaux and husband Arthur, and his only brother James W. Luna and his wife, Millie of Bridge City.

Many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews mourn the loss of “their crazy Uncle Joe”. Joe had many Godchildren who will miss him especially, his youngest Godchild, Hunter Blanchard, of Lake Charles. Joe will also be sorely missed by his many cousins, extended family, neighbors and friends.

Joe Luna was not just the “life of the party”. He was “the party” wherever he was. May he now rest in Our Lord’s peaceful arms.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 22, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Services will be Sunday, June 23, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Claybar Funeral Home. Burial will follow St. Mary Cemetery on Meeks Drive.

Those who would like to fulfill one of Joe’s wishes may bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Orange Christian Services. Monetary donations may also be made to Southeast Texas Hospice, P.O. Box 2385, Orange, TX 77631-2385.

The family would like to give an immense amount of gratitude to the entire staff of SETX Hospice for the care and concern they have shown Joe during the last few weeks of his life.