Jose Luis

Munoz

Jose Luis Munoz was born on July 4, 1945 in Los Saenz, Texas to Gustavo Munoz and Ernestina Sanchez Munoz.

Mr. Munoz is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Noel Sanchez.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Oralia Cuellar Munoz; stepdaughter, Belinda (Robert) Olivarez; stepson, Samuel Rey (Jerry) Garcia; grandchildren, Derek (Briana) and Kyle Olivarez; and numerous relatives, friends, and loved ones.

Jose graduated from Roma High School in 1962. He then attended Laredo Junior College and proudly graduated in 1965. He went on to volunteer for the U.S. Navy and upon termination of boot camp, he was assigned to the Reconnaissance Unit Headquarters Company Third Marine Division in Denang, South Vietnam. After completing his tour, he spent the next two years in Naval Intelligence. After many years of faithful service, Jose was honorably discharged in 1968. He graduated from Pan-American University in 1970 and later returned to acquire his Masters degree. Jose was then hired as an instructor at Texas State Technical College. After three years of being an instructor, he was promoted to Financial Aid Director.

In 1972, he was hired as a translator at KGBT AM Radio, where after eight short months he got promoted to News Director. In 1980 he was promoted to General Sales Manager, then in 1983 he was promoted to Vice President General Manager. As a Corporate Officer, he saw the company go through three mergers. The third merger was when KGBT AM Radio became part of a huge Spanish media conglomerate known as Univision.

His career in broadcasting spanned 35 years, in which he  received numerous recognitions and awards. During this time, he produced a one hour documentary on Conjunto music, a genre of music that was born in the Rio Grande Valley.  The documentary is titled  "La Herencia" and is archived at the Institute of Texas Cultures at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Under Jose's leadership, KGBT Radio received two Marconi awards as Spanish Radio Station of the Year.

He went on to be a guest instructor at the University of Texas in Austin for two summer sessions and at University of North Texas in Denton for one summer session. In life, his wife and family always came first. In his career, his staff always came first. Jose will be remembered as a hard-working, passionate, and driven man who ensured he left a legacy behind for the people he cared for.

Visitation will take place at Trinity Funeral Chapel in Harlingen, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm rosary. Funeral service will take place the following day, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen, Texas. Entombment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Noel Sanchez, David Sanchez, Samuel Garcia, Derek Olivarez, Marc Beltran, and Erie Beltran.

With love and remembrance, The Family of Jose Luis Munoz's arrangements are entrusted to Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home at 1002 East Harrison Ave. in Harlingen, TX 78550. You may contact us with any questions at (956) 364-2444 or visit us at www.trinityfunerals.com.