Joe Albert Armenta

- – Joe Albert Armenta, known by many as “Joe Baby”, passed away January 25, 2019.

Born March 17, 1925, to Henry and Marina Armenta in Casa Grande, Arizona Joe was one of 7 children and is survived by one sister, Sally Martin.

Joe graduated Casa Grande High School in 1942, before applying and attending the Ozark

Baseball Camp in Salem, Missouri. Joe joined the Navy at the age of 17, in December 1942 where he served on the USS Mustin, patrolling the Pacific from the icy waters of the Aleutian Islands to Philippines and Okinawa. Joe was honorably discharged in 1946. He met and married his wife, Mary, in 1947, who preceded him in death in 2014.

Joe worked for Sears and Roebuck for a total of 33 years in Philidelphia, Mesa, and Hemet. Joe pursued his love for writing by attending Mesa Community College and the University of Notre Dame, getting his AA in Journalism. Joe was a Sports Writer while in Mesa for 4 years and continued to write for the Hemet News after moving to Hemet, California in 1976.

Joe was a proud Veteran and was asked to represent his fellow shipmates of the then decommissioned DD413 Mustin by presenting the spyglass to the Chief in order to set the watch on the new DDG89 Mustin in 2003. He attended and organized several ship reunions which were celebrated with the crew of the USS Hornet over the years. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mesa, Arizona for 22 years.

His hobby and love was writing; sending cards and postcards to so many of his friends, family, the family of his shipmates and new friends he would meet along the way from all around the world.

Many will miss his whistle and his always positive outlook on life that could brighten any day.

Joe is survived by daughters Marina Brubaker, Mary Lou Armenta, Anita LaFever, son Larry Armenta, 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.