Joseph F. Xavier, Jr. born June 26, 1931 in Pu’Unana, Maui, Hawaii passed away in the early morning hours on January 13, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Joe was born and raised on the island of Maui and graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1950. He was 10 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and often spoke about the effects that day had on his family, friends and beloved Hawaii. As a young man Joe moved to the mainland and attended Woodbury University in Burbank, California graduating with a degree in Business Administration.

He met the love of his life, Nola Carter, at UCLA and liked to brag about how he had been married three times (to the same woman). On their 50th wedding anniversary, at Joe’s insistence, they renewed their wedding vows in Las Vegas in front of an Elvis impersonator. Joe spent most of his career working in the university system. First at UCLA, then UCSB, and finally at the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!).

During his career Joe had the opportunity to meet many dignitaries and celebrities including the Grateful Dead, President Reagan, HRH Queen Elizabeth, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Joe loved to “talk story”. After he retired from the UW, he and his wife moved to Florence, Oregon. Joe spent much of his time volunteering in the community with the Elks, Make a Difference Day, and Neighborhood Watch.

Joe is survived by his wife Nola, daughters Marie Xavier (Bonnie Jeffs), Julie Martin (Niels Martin) and his four beloved grandchildren Zachary Martin, Madison (Mark Owen), Katie (Barrett Cooper), and Tanner Martin. Joe will be making one last trip to his beloved Hawaii. E ho’omaha me ka maluhia. Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.