May 13, 1951 – September 30, 2026

Jose “Papa Joe” Medeles, beloved husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, at the age of 75.

Born in Laredo, Arkansas, Papa Joe spent much of his life in Chicago before making Lawton, Oklahoma, his home in 2010. Wherever he was, he had a way of making his presence known, through his laughter, his stories, his music, and the warmth he gave so freely to others.

Papa Joe was a funny, stubborn, sweet, and wonderfully old-school man who always tried to find the bright side. He was a true jack of all trades, known for fixing cars, working on lawnmowers, remodeling homes, and taking on whatever needed to be done to help out. He had a natural talent for art and spent time painting and drawing, even spray-painting car hoods back in the day. But perhaps most of all, Papa Joe was a true musician. He loved his guitar, loved to sing, and shared his musical gifts as a band leader at church.

His faith was at the center of his life. Papa Joe was deeply devoted to God and took his faith seriously each and every day. Through 16 years of dialysis and the many challenges he faced, he continued to find reasons to be grateful and to look forward to each day.

Papa Joe loved the simple joys of life: fishing, throwing something on the grill, watching football, working on his lawnmowers and truck, listening to music, watching John Wayne and old Western movies, and of course, enjoying a cold beer. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by his family.

He and his beloved wife, Miriam, shared a marriage that began in 1995 and a love that was unmistakably their own. They could get on each other’s nerves like nobody else, but they also loved each other in a way that nobody else could. Their bond was a true testament to a lifetime of love, companionship, laughter, and growing together.

To his grandchildren, Papa Joe was the kind of grandpa who let them be kids, and sometimes let them get away with a little more than they probably should have; never putting too many limits on their fun. He loved to bother them, make them laugh, and he was incredibly proud of every one of them.

Papa Joe had a gift for making people feel welcome. He met people with an open heart, listened to them, gave them the benefit of the doubt, and always tried his best for those around him. He loved talking to people and was genuinely happy to see the people he loved. 

Perhaps his greatest legacy is not something that can be written down or measured. It lives in the people he loved, the faith he shared, the music he made, the things he taught, the stories that will be told, and the laughter that will continue to remind his family of him.

Papa Joe leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Miriam Medeles; his children, Jose Medeles, Eli Medeles, and Michael Medeles; his grandchildren, Jessica Medeles, Joselin Medeles, Jolani Escobar, Dante Medeles, Michael Medeles Jr., Mia Medeles, Memphis Medeles, Samantha Medeles, Ethan Medeles and Christopher Bradley; and his great-grandchildren, Jaxon Karnes, Sofia Karnes, and Dream Medeles; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. 



He was preceded in death by his father, Jose Medeles Sr.; his mother, Petra Sanchez; his sister, Patty Sanchez; his brother, Billy Sanchez; and his granddaughter Faith Medeles

Sign the Guestbook