Jose Colunga

Jose Colunga
January 20, 1957 ~ June 20, 2024

Jose Colunga, 67, of Salina, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Smoky Hill Health and Rehab in Salina, Kansas.

Jose was born the son of Felix and Crusita (Lopez) Colunga on 1/20/1957 in Seguin, Texas. At the young age of five years old, Jose’s parents divorced and he spent eight years at the Sts. Peter and Joseph Orphanage. In 1974, his sister Mary and husband, Richard, became his guardians and were able to raise him in their home. He lived with them for many years, even after his high school graduation from Jack C. Hays High School in Buda, Texas, on May 26, 1977.

There was nothing more that he loved than being called “Uncle Joe!” and being smothered in love by his multiple nieces and nephews. He was fun loving and a practical jokester. He looked to Mary and Richard’s kids as a friend and brother, more so than nieces and nephews. One of their favorite memories is Uncle Joe coming early in the mornings on Easter. He enjoyed hiding eggs filled with money. He was fun to be around.

Jose always worked in restaurants as a cook and assisted others any way he could. This was his profession until he became ill post motorcycle accident. After the wreck, he then moved to Wakefield, Kansas to be cared for by his brother, Sam.

Jose loved his Dallas Cowboys as well as fishing, cooking, swimming and doing art work as a self-taught artist. He was baptized at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, Tx.

As of late, he especially enjoyed his outings with his Interim Hospice team as they would visit his favorite restaurants. The incredibly compassionate and caring staff at Smoky Hill Health and Rehab went above & beyond in caring for him over the last several years not only with their cares, but doing things on their personal time to please his tummy with all the food he wanted. Jose also appreciated the care that was given to him by Kim Rayas.Survivors include his brothers and sisters Mary Duecker (Richard) of Kyle, TexasDolores Vega of Cibolo, Tx., Irene Saldana (Ruben) Seguin, Texas, Samuel Colunga (Mieko Falk) Winfield, Kansas, John Colunga (Cynthia) Buda, Texas and Robert Perez (Sandra) San Antonio, Texas; along with numerous nieces and nephews. His guardian and special friend, Kim Rayas of Salina. Jose is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters: Maria Louis Saldana ,Felix Colunga, Margarita Colunga and Gilbert Colunga.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, June 29th at 3:00 P.M. at Smoky Hill Health and Rehab in Salina. You are encouraged to wear your Dallas Cowboys or favorite NFL team attire.Private inurnment will be at Gypsum Hill Cemetery in Salina.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Interim Hospice (1005 W. South Street, Salina, Ks 67401) or Smoky Hill Health and Rehab Activity Fund (1007 Johnstown Avenue, Salina, Ks. 67401).

Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Kansas.