Jose “Hoser” Menendez III age 75, gently took his leave on Saturday, April 9, 2022, passing peacefully at home in his own bed. Jose was born in Tampa, Florida, April 4, 1947 to Beulah Catherine (White) and Jose Menendez, Jr. He served his country bravely in Vietnam, doing three tours, ’67, ’68, ’69, with the 173rd Army Airborne, 2nd of 503rd & 3rd of 503rd . Jose was the recipient of the bronze star as well as numerous citations including one from the Military Chief of Lam Dong Province for his work with the Montagnards in the Central Highlands. After returning from Vietnam he met a young college student, Maureen Dickinson, and they were married on April 28, 1973, soulmates to the end and beyond.
Jose worked in sales most of his life, everything from Frank Liquor to Bouquet Connection, however the most powerful part of his career was the work he did for Successful Work Options as a job coach with the developmentally disabled. This was his calling. He inspired and entertained his co-workers and approached his clients with the sense that the time they spent together was an adventure … which it always was with Hoser! Hoser never worked so he could have fun later but rather filled his life with excitement and people. Whether it was 4-wheeling Broncos or racing on the ice; ice fishing or snowmobiling trips to Canada; racing his Silver Bullet dragster along side his mechanic brother-in-law, Mike (Hose B); deer hunting each year with Todd; fly fishing catch & release trips with his brother, Shorty; special fall trips with Maureen and the dog in the fifth wheel; summers at “fish camp” in Sheboygan fishing Lake Michigan on his boat the K-PASA; wintering & fishing in Sebastian, Florida; all of which involved a following of friends, family and lots of laughter. He will be dearly missed but is already on a new adventure of his making.
Jose is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Maureen Menendez; his siblings, Susan (Ken) Weber, Stephen “Shorty” (Linda) Menendez, Juan Menendez, Beckie (David) Gehr, Russ (Carolyn) Menendez; many loving nieces and nephews; as well as countless number of devoted friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Bill Wilke; and sister, K’lynn Halverson.
A celebration of Hoser’s life will be held at 2pm, May 6, 2022 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 206 W. Prospect Street, Stoughton, Wisconsin. The services will be live streamed. Friends may greet the family from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. A send off in honor of Hoser will commence at the Pleasant Springs Pub after the service. Maureen has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org, or a charity of choice. Please share your memories of Jose by posting on his Tribute Wall at: www.CressFuneralService.com.
Cress Funeral Service
206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton
(608) 873-9244
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