Jose Solis HuertaMay 05, 1923 - Jan. 26, 2017VisaliaJose Solis Huerta joined our Lord on Thursday, January 26, 2017 in Visalia, California in the presence of his loving family. Jose was born on May 5—according to legend—1923 in Mexico City, Mexico to Felipa Solis Huerta and Luis Huerta of Michoacán, Mexico. He married the love of his life Teresa Jimenez Ramirez on December 24, 1950 in Mexico City. Over their 66 years of marriage they were an inspiration and guiding light for their family and friends. Jose was a hard-working, dedicated-family man. He learned the craft of baking and started a panaderia, "La Chiquita" in Mexico City in 1950. During WWII Jose and his brother Hilario joined the US Bracero Program, harvesting crops throughout California's San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Jose obtained permanent resident status in 1953 and took his young family to live in Chicago, Il where his brother Hilario was living at the time. He moved his family from Chicago to Visalia in 1959 and purchased a new home in Fairview Park (Birdland) His family thrived in the new home on Dove Drive. Jose worked for Bothof's Bakery in Visalia in the early 1960's, then worked at Bostitch-Textron in 1967 and retired in 1988. Jose couldn't stay retired so he went to work for Visalia Unified School District in their Maintenance Department and retired for real in 1999. Jose enjoyed serving others and contributed for decades to the community through his volunteer activities every chance he could at Holy Family Catholic Church in North Visalia. Family and friends will remember Jose's amazing hand made flour tortillas, his blessings and prayers for others, and of course the competitive games of horse shoes in the back yard or park. Jose is preceded in death by sister: Lucila Huerta Jimenez, brother: Luis Huerta. Jose is survived by wife Teresa Huerta, brother Hilario Huerta of Pasadena, sons: Hector Huerta (Sandra), Luis Huerta (Rosa), Phillip Huerta (Maria), daughter: Teresa Huerta, and grandchildren: Alexandra Huerta (Jeffrey), Gabriel Huerta (Lorna), Matthew Huerta (Diana), Nicholas Huerta (Jamie), Sarah Duran (Ephraim), Adam Huerta (Heather), Stephen Huerta (Jennifer); and 12 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 3-7p.m. with recitation of the Rosary at 6pm at Miller Memorial Chapel 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 at 10am at Holy Family Catholic Church 1908 N. Court St., Visalia followed by interment at Visalia Public Cemetery.Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.