Joseph W. Serpa, Jr.

Joseph (Joe) Walter Serpa Jr., long time Escalon resident, died Oct. 4. He was 73.

Serpa was born on Sept. 16, 1944, in Livermore, California where he lived for 30 years. He studied agriculture at Modesto Junior College and Cal Poly. He married his wife, Ginger, in 1968 and they moved to Escalon in 1974 where they raised their three children on a small ranch. They raised cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats and their ranch was often referred to as "Old McDonald's Farm." Serpa was involved in 4-H and FFA growing up and continued that tradition with his own children and grandchildren.

Serpa worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 40 years. He was a devoted husband, who loved his family more than anything, and a friend to all. He knew no strangers. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports and attended all their events when he could. He was 100 percent involved in whatever his children were involved in. Serpa's love of animals continued even after he retired, including his rabbits, goats and miniature donkeys. He loved hunting, playing cribbage, attending rodeos, livestock shows and watching any sporting event. He started each morning faithfully by going to the local Donut Shack or Collegeville Market to enjoy coffee and donuts and discussed all the latest local news with his buddies. Serpa is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Ginger Serpa; his son, Joseph Serpa (Kate Bigelow) of Escalon; daughters, Jennifer Serpa (Wade Piechalski) of Livermore and Jeanine Serpa-Bairos (Cherilyn) of Oakdale; grandchildren, Jaqueline Serpa of Oakdale, Jaylyne Serpa of Escalon, Austin Martinez of San Jose, Hadyn McDonald-Serpa and Hayli McDonald-Serpa of Oakdale. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Gertrude Serpa.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12. Both services will be held at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon. A graveside service will follow at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.