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Joe G. Cardenas

Mr. Joe G. Cardenas of Troy, AL passed away Thursday, November 21, 2024, 9:44 a.m. at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, AL with both his sons by his bedside. He was 92.  Skeen Funeral Home will be assisting the Cardenas family with a simple cremation. He was born Jose Guadalupe Cardenas on December 8, 1931 in El Modena, CA. At the early age of seven, he started working in the produce fields of California until the age of eleven when a kind German man began teaching him the fine art of being a printer. Joe worked at several different printing companies until he joined the Air Force July, 13, 1951. He served his country for the next four years and was discharged on July 13, 1955. After the Air Force, Joe returned to California where he finally met his pen pal Dorothy Moss, who he married September 13, 1955, and was faithfully married for 68 years. Once Joe settled into civilian life again, he continued his printing career as well as becoming an avid student of Hidetaka Nishiyama, teaching him the art of Shotokon Karate. Joe earned his black belt in Shotokon Karate; he then began lifting weights and boxing. In 1969 he moved his little family from Oxnard, CA to a small community here in Troy called Needmore, purchasing a home and land with his wife where they had a chicken house and a small farm. Joe also taught the Troy Police Department both self-defense and firearm training. During the 1970’s he continued his career in Printing as well as Karate and weightlifting. He began working at the Opp News, Opp, AL where he worked for many years, After leaving the Opp News, he began teaching and working in the Printing Department at Troy University  He became a well known awarded printer who was one of the top five in the world. Joe never met a printing he could not run! He retired from the University January 1, 1997 at age 65 after being employed for 11 years. Then he began his life as a farmer. Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy J. Moss Cardenas, his mother, Ventura Cardenas and all but one of his siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Jane Petorious (Ben); Guam; his sons, Joseph E. Cardenas (Sandy), FL, and William Cardenas (Deborah); Troy; grandchildren, Joseph Johnson, Troy, Michael Johnson (Alisha), Troy, Matthew Johnson, GA, Jennifer Cardenas, Ryanne Davis, and Greg Wesson, all of FL; four great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter, and his sister, Hope Barela, CA. The family would like to thank the E.R. Department, the doctors, as well as a wonderful nursing staff at Baptist South in Montgomery. The family also sends a special thank you to the Heaven sent R.N, Ms. Helen, (AKA the Banana Lady). Although he will be cremated with no service we would like to acknowledge the following people as honorary pallbearers, David Sikes, Ken Chance, Three Star General Val Madena, John Wayne Perry, Mr. Kelm and “Frenchie”. After an enjoyable long life of 92 years, Dad will be loved for eternity and missed even more.