Jose L. Blanco, Sr. was born on January 29, 1945, to Joseph A Blanco and Modesta Blanco in Calexico, CA. At the age of 10 years old, as a fourth grader, a classmate named Vicente Montano, Jr., invited him to attend his church named Templo de Refugio (TDR). Subsequently, he and his siblings became members for many years. He joined the U.S. Navy during his Junior year at Lincoln High School at the age of seventeen, just 4 days shy of his 18th birthday in 1963. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served more than 3 years.

He met his wife-to-be at a house party in 1964. They were married on July 2, 1966. In 1972, he returned to Templo de Refugio and brought his wife and 2 young children. His pastor, Vicente Montano, Sr., witnessed his zeal for the Lord and the ministry that he ordained him to become a licensed minister in 1974. His love for God and desire to preach the gospel prompted him to go on many missionary trips in Mexico, often paying his own way.

In March 1988, he and his wife became members of Victory Outreach San Diego. Under the leadership of Pastor Tony Guzman, he felt the call to pastor a church in the city of Baltimore. In June of 1994, that became a reality. He and his wife pastored there for more than 18 years until he returned to San Diego in 2012 to be reunited with his immediate family.

His desire was for all his family to be together. In June of 2024, the Lord answered his prayer when his youngest daughter moved back to San Diego with her two sons. Although he was not in the best of health these past couple of years, his faith never faltered, and his Love of God was as great as ever.

On Thursday, March 20th, he went to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Richard, Mercy, Norma, Josie, Margie, Lucy, David, and Robert. He is survived by his wife, Gloria “Gogo”, his children: Joey, Vivian and Estrella “Star”, his daughter-in-law, Gloria, his grandchildren: Joey III, Gloria “Nena”, Diego, JD, and Jayden, as well as, his significant grandchildren, Faythe and Jordyn, his brothers, Mike and Johnny, two brothers-in-law, Tommy and Mico, plus his extended family: cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of spiritual family and friends.

Dad, Daddy, Grandpa, Pastor Joe, Papa Joe, and Tio will be missed by all who loved him! It was an honor to have had him in our lives!

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Psalm 116:15