Longtime Lemoore icon Joe P. Oliveira remembered as dedicated to community

Joe P., as he liked to be called, was a man dedicated to his family and the dairy industry in the valley and California. On the home front, Joe P. married the love of his life, Adeline Paulo, in November of 1948. They were blessed with one son, and five daughters.

He was actively involved in the Lemoore Trinity Association (LTA) for over 50 years, and was always seen around the popular gathering place. He led the efforts of many, placing calves on dairy farms where his many friends raised them. They were then sold with the donations going toward building the new hall at LTA.

When the children were growing up, he served as the Community Leader for the Central Union 4-H Club. He also served on the Kings County Grand Jury. Joe was a longtime parishioner at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lemoore.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Adeline Oliveira; son, Joe P. Oliveira Jr.; daughter, Beverly Ray; grandchildren, Jean and Joseph Etchebehere; brother, Tony P. Oliveira; and sisters, Elizabeth Oliveira, Arlene Dias, and Irene Paulo of Hanford, CA. Joe is survived by daughters, Marlene Jeung and husband Don of Grover Beach, CA, Patty Silva and husband Denny, Debbie Etchebehere and husband Jean, Cheryl Silva and husband Russ; daughter-in-law, Pam Oliveira, of Lemoore, CA; son-in-law, Darryl Ray of Los Cruces, NM; brothers, John P. Oliveira, Jr. of Chino, CA, Frank P. Oliveira of Westley, CA, Leonard P. Oliveira of Hanford, CA, Manuel P. Oliveira, Edward P. Oliveira, Louie P. Oliveira of Lemoore, CA; sister, Mary Prebys of Fountain Valley, CA; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren, and too many nieces and nephews to count.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Tom Yang and the Hanford and Lemoore DeVita Dialysis centers for the extra three years they had with Joe P. A viewing will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lemoore on Friday, August 28, 2015, from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary immediately after.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Lemoore Cemetery. Remembrances in Joe's memory may be made to Lemoore Trinity Association, P.O. Box 692, Lemoore, CA 93245; or St. Peter's Catholic Church Building Fund, 870 N. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, CA 93245. Arrangements are under the direction of Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore.