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JOE LAWRENCE DUTRA
Dutra 1

August 30, 1928 – December 3, 2014

   Joe L. Dutra, 86, son of the late Henry and Maria Dutra, passed away on Wednesday, December 3rd at his home in Escalon with his loving family at his side.  Joe was born on August 30, 1928 in Modesto, CA.  He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers; Henry, Frank and Tony.  

   Joe was raised in Crows Landing, CA and worked on his family’s dairy at a young age.  Joe served his Country in the Korean War and was wounded, declared MIA and eventually returned home to his family.  He received a Purple Heart and was declared a hero for saving a fellow Veteran at a battle on “Bloody Ridge”.   In 1953 he married his wife Elsie Borba.  They eventually moved to Escalon CA where Joe ran his own dairy for 40 years and was the first dairyman to obtain a shipping contract with Hershey’s.    Joe and Elsie raised their 4 children in the Oakdale/Escalon area and eventually sold their dairy and moved into town in Escalon.  Joe was an active member and President of the FES in Oakdale and was Director of Our Lady of Fatima Celebration in Escalon.  He enjoyed playing cards and he loved to play the accordion for his family, especially for his grandchildren.  Joe was very involved in his Portuguese culture and had many friends and loved ones from his parent’s homeland of Terceira Azores.  Joe’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his children and grandchildren.  His warm smile and kind soul were contagious, and his sense of humor was enjoyed and admired by all.  Joe never wanted to be away from his home or family for very long and his ultimate desire was to be with them always.  Joe was determined to leave this earth at his home and was able to leave peacefully and with comfort knowing his loving wife and family were by his side.  His legacy lives on and will never be forgotten.

   Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elsie Borba Dutra, 1 daughter Debbie (Fred) Shaw of Oakdale, 3 sons; Joe Jr. (Jill) of Escalon, Frank (Dianna) of Oakdale and David of Escalon and 1 brother John (Sue) Dutra of Turlock.  Joe leaves 11 grandchildren:  Daylyn (Tammy), Deonna (D.J.), Ashley, Joseph III, Lucciano, Erika, Frankie, Joshua, Daymond, Jacob and Aaraylyn.  He also leaves behind 4 great-grandchildren: Dylyn, Mason, Rowan and Trinity.

   Services will be held on Tuesday, December 16th 2014.  A Rosary will be recited at 10am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 E. State Highway 120 Ripon, CA  95366. Interment will immediately follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

The Escalon (Calif.)Times

Dec. 10, 2014