Joseph N. CardozaMarch 9, 1932 - May 31, 2017Elk Grove, CAJoseph N. Cardoza of Elk Grove, CA passed away on May 31, 2017 at the age of 85. Joe was born on March 9, 1932 at his Grandmother Joaquina Martin's home in Delano, CA to Joe and Mary Martin Cardoza. His childhood years were spent on the family dairy farm in Tipton, CA. He graduated from Tulare Union High School in 1951 and attended the College of the Sequoias for a brief time before he was drafted and joined the Army in 1952. After boot camp at Fort Ord, he was shipped to Eta Jima, Japan for radio training and then to Korea - the 5th ROC Division at the front lines. He was 21 years old when he was sending and receiving messages via Morse Code during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1954. He returned to Tipton and became a propane delivery truck driver. His many nieces and nephews have many fond memories of Joe's unique artistic talents and adventurous spirit. They remember him doing beautiful watercolor paintings and joining the local parachuting club. He continued to paint the rest of his life.He met his wife Barbara while taking classes at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Fresno. They were married on September 13, 1969 and spent most of their marriage living in the Sacramento area. They traveled several western states in their travel trailer and made many beloved friends as longtime members of the Motherlode Goldhounds Prospecting Club in Auburn. Joe enjoyed the position of "paparazzi" for his many club photos and donated some of his fine art paintings to club raffles.Joe leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Barbara Fishel Cardoza, his brother Melvin Cardoza of Tipton, his stepdaughter Tina Saunders and her daughters, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his father Joe N. Cardoza, his mother Mary Martin Cardoza, his sister Delores Ribeiro, and his brother Frank Cardoza. A Memorial Mass is planned for Friday, July 14, 2017 at 1:30pm at St. John's Catholic Church, 232 Adams Road, Tipton, CA 93272.