Jose D. Compean

Jose “Joe” D. Compean Jose “Joe” D. Compean, loving husband, father, grandfather and son passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 in Laredo, Texas at the age of 64. He was born in Laredo and was the eldest child in a family of musicians. After graduating from Raymond & Tirza Martin High School, he attended Texas A & I University in Kingsville, where he received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music. Mr. Compean started his music career in 1972 with the Texas Public School system. He then joined the faculty at Laredo Junior College in 1978 as the sole music instructor in the Music and Dance Department. During his 20-year (1978-1998) tenure as Music & Dance Department Chair, the department grew considerably, thanks to community interest in the performing arts. In the summer of 1980, he founded the Laredo Junior College Civic Symphony Orchestra along with, Sylvia Hazlerig, Herlinda Alderete, and Max Windisch. Under Compean’s direction (1980-1999), the symphony blossomed into a large active performing ensemble comprised of musicians of all ages from both Laredos. Under Compean’s leadership, the Music & Dance Department received thousands of dollars in donations & grants to support the program. He returned to full-time teaching in the Fall of 1998 and retired in 2013 with 41 years as a music educator. Mr. Compean was a member of the American Symphony Orchestra League, the Texas Music Educators Association, the American College Director’s Association, and served on two occasions as the Texas Association of Music Schools as State Director, representing community colleges. Mr. Compean received numerous honors for his community service. A few of the most memorable include: a Paul Harris Fellow for community service from the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club, and the LCC President’s Merit Award, among others. Mr. Compean is preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Flores Compean. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Estela “Stella” G. Compean; children, Dr. Joe David Compean, Dr. Jessica Compean (Alfonso) Fierro; granddaughter, Emma S. Fierro; father, Jose Compean brothers, Mario (Ruth) Compean, Javier (Gloria) Compean, Dr. Rene ( Aleida) Compean as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary will be recited on Friday, December 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to St. Patrick Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.