Jose Gabriel Tijerina of Archbold, Ohio was born to Guillermo and Antonia (Martinez) Tijerina on March 18, 1928 in Brownsville, Texas.  He married Juanita Gracia on December 6, 1952 and celebrated 65 years of marriage with her.

As a very young man he accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at Good Shepherd Methodist Church, Brownsville, Texas and continued membership there during retirement years as "Winter Texans".  He passed into eternal glory on July 21, 2018 at Fairlawn Haven Care Center in Archbold, Ohio and is now celebrating in the Kingdom of his Lord and Savior.  He was a member of Iglesia Menonita Del Buen Pastor, Archbold, Ohio and served his church as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader, Song Leader and Elder during the past sixty years.

He entered the Army Air Corps and completed his term in the U.S. Air Force.  He was employed in 1952 and retired after 35 years of service from Central Foundry Division of General Motors, Defiance, Ohio and was a proud member of the UAW.

He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita on May 2, 2018; by his parents and brother Juvencio Tijerina.

Jose is survived by children, Albert (Andrea) Garcia of Archbold; Antonia (Conrado) Grimolizzi-Jensen of Wauseon; Jose G. Tijerina Jr. of Houston, TX; Juanita (Michael) Hammersmith of Stryker; Adelina (Chris) Grime, of Archbold; Jacob I. (Betsy) Tijerina, of Stow, Oh.  He is survived also by 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.   Also:  Sister, Aurora (Regino, Dec.) Perez, Brownsville, TX.  Brothers:  Guillermo (Luisa); Jacobo (Maria); Manuel (Lupe); and Benjamin (Juanita) Archbold, Ohio.

Funeral and Services will be held at Iglesia Menonita del Buen Pastor (Mennonite Church of the Good Shepherd) 22489 County Road F, Archbold, Ohio with Pastors Israel Aguilar and David Tijerina officiating.    Friends and family may call at the Church on Saturday, July 28, 2018 from 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.  A Church Service will follow.  Interment will follow in the Archbold Cemetery.    Short Funeral Home, 500 N. Defiance St. in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements.  The Archbold American Legion Honor Guard will conduct Military Graveside Rites.  The family suggests Memorials be given to Iglesia Menonita Del Buen Pastor.