June 3, 1939 – August 30, 2022
Joseph (Joe) was born in Mountain View, California, to Joseph Vargas and Adeline (Soares) Vargas. He was the oldest, and last survivor, of 6 children. Joe married Amelia (Medina) Vargas in 1958. He was a truck driver his entire life, starting with driving a dump truck for his Uncle Joe Soares. He then operated a lowboy transport for approximately 20 years before moving his family to Eagle Point, Oregon in 1976 when he started driving a log truck. He loved his logging community and they were part of his extended family. He enjoyed this career until he was physically unable to continue at 80 years old.
Joe was a man with an incredibly kind heart. To know him was to love him. His friends and family meant everything to him. However, his family was his life, and he made sure to look out for and care for every one of them, starting with his wife, Amelia (Millie) which his nickname for her was “Tom.” She referred to him as “Bud” and they were married for 64 years. They together had four sons, Joe (and his wife Brandie), Mark (and his wife Kerry), Dean (and his wife Vicki) and Jim (and his wife Pam). An incredible father he was to his sons and he was proud of them all, and he proudly loved his daughter-in-laws. As a grandfather he was the pillar of the Vargas family. When his sons started having kids his focus on most aspects of life became his grandkids. When he could, he would make every attempt with his grandkids to attend school functions, award ceremonies, scouting ceremonies, sporting events, 4H and FFA events, and hunting adventures. He is survived by 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
He had many “names” as well: Joe, Papa, Bud, Grampa, Papa Joe, Pop, Wrongway Feldon, Icabod Crane, The Old Guy, and Dad. He will be missed, and he will forever remain in our hearts. He was known by so many people and touched the hearts of all of them. He passed peacefully at his home with his family by his side. We love you.