Daniel Joseph "Joe" Trueba Obituary (1927

Daniel Joseph, “Joe”, Trueba, 97, died at home September 7, 2024 much the way he lived: no fuss, no drama, with a full belly, and in the company of family who loved him dearly. The eldest of four children, Joe was born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico. There he met Beatrice Lopez, the youngest of eleven children, and the sweet young girl who would become his beloved wife of 72 years. Before that adventure would begin, Joe was drafted into the Army in the waning days of WWII and served two years for his country. In the years following his enlistment, Joe worked and attended the University of San Francisco before the loss of his younger brother, Johnny, brought him back to Gallup. There, Joe and Bea reunited, married in 1952, and began a new chapter together. Joe returned to the military as a civilian in the Air Force and completed his career there with postings in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Guam before a final transfer to Utah and Hill Air Force Base in 1958 where he and his growing family remained until his retirement in 1983. The proud father of four sons and two daughters, Joe offered abundant love, support, and encouragement to his children. Joe held a quality education as among the most precious gifts he could provide for his family. He ensured his children received a top notch parochial education at St. Olaf’s Catholic School and Judge Memorial High School and made the financial commitment needed for them to attend. Joe was active in St. Olaf’s parish as one of the early families in the church community. As the parish grew, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the new church and community center, completed in the mid-1980’s. He embodied what it means to be a responsible, loving, and faithful member of the Catholic community. Joe’s expression of faith grew in generosity and inclusiveness as he moved through his life. He sought the good in the array of religious traditions he knew and taught his children to measure a person’s worth by their actions, not their words. By his example, his children learned the importance of honesty, kindness, humility, and curiosity about the world they lived in. Joe showed up for his children outside of church and school and spent endless summers at the ball park coaching his boys in little league baseball, and fall and winter weekends cheering them on from the bleachers at countless football, basketball, and soccer games. He attended school plays, dance recitals, and encouraged his children to follow their interests, wherever they led. Although he was of the opinion that only fools and avalanches come down mountains, he made sure his kids were on the “Alta bus” on snowy Saturday mornings so they could learn to ski. At least a few of his kids continue to ride that bus today. An avid gardener, Joe’s front-yard rose gardens were a frequent and fragrant pause for strollers on warm summer evenings. He was a voracious reader with a prodigious vocabulary and a particular interest in nonfiction and national and international affairs. Librarians at the local libraries saw Joe daily and knew him by name. He was a fierce card player who delighted in skunking even his youngest grandchild in cribbage. His sense of humor was as dry as the martinis he made for Bea, and no one appreciated a clever turn of phrase more than he. As Joe settled into retirement, golf became a passion that led to an ability to knock the daylights out of a golf ball, sending it true and far down the fairway. Putting for dough was left up to Bea and they were often on the winning team at tournaments played on golf courses in Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona. Joe’s devotion to his wife is the most valuable legacy he leaves for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Their marriage was truly a partnership that created a glorious tapestry woven only when there are somber threads of hard and sad times intertwined with the bright colors of laughter, contentment, and enduring love. The loss of their eldest daughter, Chris, to breast cancer in 2004 has been balanced by the joy each of their 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way) have brought them. A life of 97 years is rich with memories and we, his family and friends, will cherish them all. Joe is survived by his wife, Bea, his sons John (Teresa), Dan (Debra), Tom, Joe (Andrea), his daughter Cathy (Whit), his son-in-law, Doug (Carron), 11 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held October 12, 2024 at 11am at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, 277 E 1800 S, Bountiful, Utah to be followed by a luncheon at St. Olaf’s Mac Center. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St. Olaf’s Catholic School or a charity near and dear to your heart