Joe M. Louro

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Joe M. Louro. He entered into heavenly rest on April 25, 2024 at the age of 84. Joe M. Louro was born in São Bartolomeu de Regatos, Terceira on May 11, 1939 to Alvino and Guilhermina Louro. He lived in the Acores until he was 8 years old. Joe moved to America with his mother, having to leave his father and baby sister, Marie. It would be a year and a half before they were all reunited again in Santa Clara, CA. He lived and worked on dairies in Gilroy and Bethel Island until moving to Stevinson in 1955, where they started their family dairy. Joe graduated from Hilmar High School where he met his high school sweetheart Lynne Delmas. They were married in 1959 and had three children together: Joe Jr, Monica and John. Even though this marriage eventually ended, the two stayed respectful of one another as well as committed to working together to raise their children. Joe had a big year in 1969 when the family purchased their own dairy in Hilmar and he met and married the love of his life, Janice Autrey. Joe adopted her daughter Shelli and together they had a son, Martin, and now they were a family of seven. Joe was a dairyman his entire life until selling his dairy in 1996. This was due to the low price farmers were being paid for their milk and the extremely high operating expenses that put many dairies out of business. From 1996 until his retirement on December 31, 2023 at the age of 84, he worked as a Field Representative for the California Dairy Campaign (CDC). Joe loved being a dairyman and loved his job at CDC where, for 28 years, he united dairymen up and down the state in fighting for a fair price for their milk through legislation. Needless to say, Joe knew almost every dairyman and almost every dairyman knew Joe. Joe loved his family and his community. He enjoyed riding in parades with the Sherriff’s Posse over the years. He was the life of the party. He loved singing karaoke and singing Hank Williams songs at events. His favorite thing in the entire world was spending time with his family, especially with his grand and great-grandchildren. Joe was a member of Holy Rosary / St. Mary’s Catholic Parish his entire life. He was a member of the Stevinson Pentecost Association for nearly 50 years, serving as their President in 1978. As a lifelong member of the SES Sociedade do Espirito Santo he served as the State Supreme President in 2006. He was an active member of the Merced County Sherrif’s Posse, serving as its Captain in 1984, a member of the Young Men’s Institute Holy Rosary #44, and Cabrillo Civic Club #30 of Hilmar and served a year as council president. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvino and Guilhermina Louro; sister, Marie Avila; brother-in-law, Raymond Avila Sr; and great-nephew, Raymond Avila III. Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who dedicated his life to his family and his love for them is reflected by their undying love for him. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Janice Louro; son, Joe (Laura) Louro Jr.; daughter, Monica (David) Pope; son, John Louro; daughter, Shelli (David) Cunha; son, Martin (Christine) Louro, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lena Pereira; brother-in-law, Anthony Pereira, Sr; godsons; Anthony Pereira Jr; Raymond Avila Jr and niece, Diane Avila. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home in Turlock, CA. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar, CA. Following the mass, Joe will be laid to rest at North Hilmar Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Joe’s memory to the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Building Fund, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Cabrillo Civic Club #30.

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Joe M. Louro

May 11, 1939 - April 25, 2024