Jose was born in Asherton, Texas to Agustine and Felicita Briseño. Jose was the eldest of three children with another brother and sister. Jose had a large extended family that worked the farms and fields in southwest Texas. This lifestyle was demanding, physical and everyone worked to support the family. This demanding and difficult life proved to be too much for his mother who died when he was five. Jose and his baby siblings would live a life as orphans, neglected, ignored and their labor exploited.
Though his life was extremely difficult, Jose became a self driven man determined to make a better life for himself. He was a fantastic singer and was celebrated and recognized for his silver voice crooning in the local barrios. He and his musician buddies were invited numerous times to sing and broadcast with local radio stations. Even though he enjoyed singing he chose to never pursue the dream of recording and music.
Jose's life would change. He first met the love of his life at age ten, Guadalupe Villalobos. As their relationship grew he fell madly in love with her. Later he would tell everyone that he fell in love with Lupe at first sight. Of course he proposed marriage at age twelve. Lupe being a bit more controlled said “NO” and he had to wait. The two would eventually elope and marry on the eve of her 18th birthday March 2nd, 1951. The two journeyed through a joyous adventurous wonderful life for more than 80 years, with 73 years alongside each other as man and wife.
Jose chose to seek better opportunities and left the security of the extended family to make his own path and life for his new family. With no education or formal training his employment opportunities were slim and none. He would work as a migrant farm worker and laborer for the next ten years. Supporting and caring for his wife and the five children was a challenge and he would support the family as best he could, constantly seek employment, moving the family several times a year, to wherever available farmwork and maintenance opportunities existed.
Jose realized with so many annual moves his children were suffering. He had had enough moving and in 1962 permanently relocated the family to Brighton CO. Soon after he would lose his fourth born son to pneumonia, dying on his 3rd birthday. He was able to find new employment in the meat packing houses in Denver. The family's fortunes were changing. More money, better food and he was able to buy a little home. This would suddenly end when he broke his back in a work injury leaving him unable to work for several years.
In 1968, he took on the role to support his wife in her labor advocate efforts. This would make one of the most profound actions of his life as he supported his wife. Lupe Briseño and the Kitayama Carnation Strike demanded that women, as well as all laborers, be treated with respect and dignity. The Carnation Strike, led by Lupe Briseño, was one of the seminal events in 1969 that laid the foundation for the Chicano Movement in Colorado.
Jose retired from District 27-J where he Supervised the custodial staff of Brighton High School. His commitment to quality and professionalism caught the attention of the Rocky Mountain News, which featured him and his staff with an article and pictures highlighting the quality and appearance of the highschool facility and the impact his leadership had on the students that took pride in their school.
Jose was a happy fun loving man that lived for his family. He never took a vacation that didn't include his children. He had pride and an energy source that never allowed him to give up or give in. Dad dealt with life's issues with humor, dignity and courage. Always had a funny line at anything troubling us. If we were upset at something or emotional or he had disciplined us he would say “no laughing lil kits, stop laughing”. That line would change tears to laughter. What made Jose truly happy was working his land, riding his tractor, right up to his dying days.
Jose is survived by his children, Jose Jr (Barbara), Rudy (Tammy), Susie (William) and Fred (Carrie). Along with eight grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Guadalupe, his fourth child Oscar, both parents Agustine and Felicita; a brother and sister; Hipolito (Polo) and Rumalda. “no laughing lil kits, stop laughing”
