Joseph Edward Mugavero Jr

Joseph Edward Mugavero, Jr. (Joe) passed away March 15, 2023 in St, George, UT from lung cancer. Joe was born 2/24/1947 in Long Beach, CA to Joseph and Mary Mugavero. They had 3 children; Nick (deceased), Shirley (deceased) and Joye. At the age of 47 his mother found she was pregnant with Joe. Her youngest child was 16 at the time. What a surprise he must have been. In high school he was in the marching band playing the drums. He continued to play for many years. He was a member of several country and western bands. Joe graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1965. His first job was a candy maker at Knott’s Berry Farm. He married at age 19 and they had 3 girls. Susie (Mike), Staci (Mike) and Nancy (Mark). He worked as a lineman for Southern California Edison and drove a truck for Sparklets Water Co. His career was a Master brake and front end mechanic for Ford Motor Co. He was an excellent bowler and dart thrower. If Joe wanted to learn something he put his whole heart and soul in it. He bought the best equipment and practiced until he was at the top of his game. Baseball: He was a player, a coach, a mentor, an umpire and Umpire in Chief. He memorized the rule book and could quote chapter and verse. He loved arguing with coaches and threw some out more than once. When his daughters got interested in softball he was a happy dad. Susie was a pitcher. Staci and Nancy were both catchers (as was Joe). Work came second to watching his girls play. When Nancy got a scholarship for softball he was over the moon proud. Joe loved sand rails. He and his buddies would go to Glamis and any place with dunes to ride. They especially liked seeing who could build the best buggy. They broke down and repaired more than they rode. He has many wonderful friends from these good times. He was an Elk for many years and served as The Esquire and The Inner Guard as well as the kitchen manager. He married Amy in 1994 and gained 3 more children: Stefanee Eckberg, Chad Forcht (Dawna) and T.J. Forcht (Natalie). He and Amy moved from California to St. George, UT in December, 2000. They started AJ’s Services which took care of all of Southern Utah’s HUD homes from foreclosure to when they were sold. It was a successful company but changes came when the economy improved and houses were being sold quickly. His was able to help a few men who were down on their luck by giving them jobs. He remained friends with some until his passing. In December 2016 Dixie Embroidery was created. Joe was fascinated with digitizing and became very proficient at it. He embroidered all of the hats and his mechanical knowledge of these complicated, commercial machines was sought out by other owners. January 1, 2023 the business was transferred to Vanessa Eckberg. She interned with us for a year. Vanessa and Papa became extremely close and she learned a lot of him. He was an intelligent man who could figure out solutions to problems most of us would walk away from. He loved this country but was so sad at the current events that he quit watching the news. He loved his dachshunds (past and present). He often said how much he enjoyed our “boring” life of watching TV with the dogs between us and all of the drama outside of our little world. Joe is survived by his sister, his wife, 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons and another one on the way. As per Joe’s wishes there will not be a funeral. Honor Joe by being kind, loving your country, helping when you can, and showing appreciation for kinds deeds done for you.

Joseph Edward Mugavero Jr

February 24, 1947 - March 15, 2023