BORN: Born in Knox City (Knox) Texas on October 28, 1949
RESIDENCE:508 Mainberry Dr, Madera California 93637 (559-693-3324)
EARLY CHILDHOOD:Jose (Joe) is the first of seven sons and one daughter born to Jose de Jesus Ureņa and Camila Valladares. He spent his early years in the Knox County area. In July 1965 the family packed up its belongings (and $6,500 in cash) in a 1957 GMC pickup truck (with a homemade camper) and a 1961 Pontiac and moved to California.
EDUCATION: Joe attended elemntary school in the O'Brien Independent School District while living in Texas. After moving to California, he attended High School in Madera high School, graduating in 1968. After completing his military service, he attended Fresno City College for three tears (1975-1977)
MILITARY: Jose was drafted into the U.S. Army (USxxxxxxxx) on July 2, 1969. He took basic training at Fort Lewis, Washingotn and Individual Advanced Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Unknown to him, his parents had requested a hardship discharge for him, which came through at about the same time that he got his orders to go to Vietnam. Without his parent's knowledge, he turned it down so he could do his duty in Vietnam. He was involved in several scimmages with the enemy and was wounded and taken for dead on at least two occasions. Once as he was being rescued by a helicopter and another when he woke up in the morgue. Another time he got separated from his platoon and so he joined up with another, which was later attacked. This resulted in his being captured by the North Vietnamese. He was able to escape by the third day and find his way back to his unit. Although he was given a field commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, however, his military record does not show it. In order to keep his brother Johnny, from having to go to Vietnam, he extended his tour in Vietnam. (The military's policy was to not have two brothers in Vietnam at the same time). He was separated from the Army on February 5, 1971.
CAREER: During his early years in Texas, Joe spent a lot of time working in the fields, hoeing and picking cotton, and whatever else might come up. In July 1965 his family moved to California, in search of greener pastures. First moving to San Jose for a short time and eventually to Madera where they bought a 20-acre vineyard. Before his induction into the military, and after his release from the military, he was involved in growing and harvesting grapes with the family. He worked for the Post Office for four years (1976-1978). He purchased his own 40-acre vineyard, which he farmed for three years (1977-1979). After he sold his farm, he was a wheeler-dealer in real estate for a short while. Finally, he last worked as a car salesman before he retired, due to health reasons related to his service in Vietnam
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Jose enjoys drawing in his spare time. He has been an active member and officer of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion #11, in Madera, California since 1985.
MARRIAGE: Jose met JanieGonzales in 1971 in Biola, California. He and Janie were married in Madera, California on December 18, 1971..
CHILDREN: Jose and Janie have two children:
