Jose “Joe” Mendiola Gumataotao of Bellevue died Wednesday, May 29, 2009 at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. He was 73.

Mr. Gumataotao was born April 7, 1936 in Sumay, Guam to Joaquin and Dolores Gumataotao. He was raised on Guam where he attended local schools.

On August 5, 1960 Joe married Emiliana Cepeda Guzman. In 1956 Joe entered the United States Navy; he served in Vietnam where he earned two Bronze Stars. In 1990 four years after his retirement from the Navy, Joe and Emiliana settled in Bellevue. That same year Joe went to work for Glendale Country Club and retired a second time in 2006.

In his leisure time Joe most of all loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Emiliana; children, Dana and Dale Gumataotao and Lourdes Norgaard; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren.

A time of visitation will be held 3-6:00 p.m., with a vigil service starting at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory, 540 E. Sunset Way, 540 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah.

A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2009 at Saint Louise de Marillac Catholic Church, 141 156th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. A private family urn placement will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Friends are invited to get directions, view photos and share memories in the family’s online guest book.