L. Joe Arenas, 94, from Galveston, passed away on June 30, 2020 in Needville, Texas. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on December 12, 1925. Joe graduated from Lincoln High School in Nebraska and then joined the Marines in 1944. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima where he was wounded in 1945,…
Continue ReadingL. Joe Arenas, 94, from Galveston, passed away on June 30, 2020 in Needville, Texas. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on December 12, 1925.
Joe graduated from Lincoln High School in Nebraska and then joined the Marines in 1944. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima where he was wounded in 1945, spent 20 months in VA hospitals and later was awarded the purple heart. It was one of the worst battles in Marine Corp History.
He started college at the University of Nebraska where he played basketball for the Cornhuskers. He transferred to Omaha University to play college football from 1947 to 1950 where he was chosen MVP in 1948. During the 1949 season he led Omaha in both rushing and passing yards. He opened the 1950 football season by throwing three touchdown passes in a 33-7 win over Nebraska Wesleyan. He also played basketball and was the team’s leading scorer in 1950. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
Joe was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 8th round of the 1951 NFL Draft as a kick returner and running back. He played seven seasons in San Francisco from 1951 to 1957 with such players as Bob St. Clair; Quarterback Y.A. Tittle; and Rice star Dicky Maegle. On December 16, 1951 he knocked the Detroit Lions out of the NFL division championship with 51-yard punt return. He led the NFL with 814 kick and punt return yards in 1951, and also led the NFL in yards per touch in both 1951 (13.1 yards per touch) and 1955 (11.1 yards per touch). In December 1956 two long returns by Joe helped the 49ers beat the Baltimore Colts 30-17. The Associated Press coverage of the game opened by noting, “Little Joe Arenas, who earlier returned a kickoff 96 yards, returned a punt 68 for San Francisco’s winning touchdown.” After the game, 49ers coach Frank Albert said of Arenas, “He’s the greatest clutch artist I’ve ever seen.”
In seven years in the NFL, Joe accumulated 987 rushing yards, 675 passing yards, 774 punt return yards, 3,798 kick return yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Over the course of his career, he averaged 27.3 yards per kick return, a figure that remains ninth best in NFL history. His 4,572 career kick and punt return yards was the best in NFL history at the time of his retirement. In 1970 he was inducted into the UNO Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1977 he was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame. In 2000 he was inducted into Laredo Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame. He was also Awarded the Helms Hall Hall of Fame award for noteworthy achievement of Inner Collegiate Athletics in Football.
After retiring from the 49ers, he covered the team for the San Francisco Call-Bulletin during the 1958 season. He also worked as a salesman and public relations man for Schilling & Co., a coffee company.
For 23 years, from 1963 to 1986, Arenas was an assistant football coach for the University of Houston Cougars football team under College Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Yeoman. He worked with the special teams and receivers at the University of Houston and developed such NFL receiving talents as Riley Odom and Carl Hilton.
He met physical therapist, Maxine Brynston, while receiving treatment at the VA Hospital in Houston. The two fell in love and in 1967 they were married. Joe worked as a volunteer coach at Rice University from 1987 to 1988. From 1991 until at least 2002, he served as an unpaid volunteer coach with the Ball High School football team in Galveston.
Joe worked in property management in both Houston and Galveston while volunteering at Rice University and Ball High School.
Joe and his family spent many summer vacations in Mexico; either in Laredo or San Miguel. Later he and Maxine traveled to Kerville, Texas on vacation and even owned property there at one time.
Joe is proceeded in death by his wife, Maxine Arenas; father, Leonard Arenas Sr.; mother, Catalina Arenas; brothers, Leonard Jr., Augustine, Mike, and John Arenas; sister, Eulalia (Nellie) Ortiz and grandson, Charles R. Ritter, Jr.
Joe is survived by brother, Kenneth Arenas and sister, Lena Martinez of Nebraska; his daughters, Tracey Arenas of California, Vicki Ritter of Texas; grandsons, Jacob Mio of California, John Rubio of Texas; great-grandsons, Jason Ritter, Charles R. Ritter III, Maxx Sosa, Michael Sosa of Texas; great-granddaughter, Alysha Ritter of Texas and numerous nieces and nephews in the Arenas family.
He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Maxine, in Old Catholic Cemetery in Galveston, Texas.
Katy Washburn
left a message on September 23, 2020:
Dear Tracey and Vickie and all of Joe's family,
You all have been in my thoughts and prayers. Joe was like a father to me. So many wonderful memories in Houston and Galveston. I will miss his smile, hugs, and laughter. I last saw him when I went to visit him after Max's death. She was like a second mom. I left a ceramic dog on her grave representing all the stray dogs she took in that Joe didn't know about. I told him that story and how Tracey and I were responsible for hiding them in the apartment. He didn't know about that. He smiled and teared up. He told me later he cemented the dog to her headstone. I will visit her and Joe when I can and place a large stone that looks like a shark's tooth on his grave. It reminds me of Joe, strong, powerful, and of the beach, their second home and a sacred place in my heart. I'm forever grateful for their love and support and for yours Tracey. Your homes were a safe haven so much needed in my teenage years.
Love, Katy
Jerry Drones
left a message on July 12, 2020:
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Joe. He was a great man, coach and a friend. I played at U of H . He helped me in school and tried to help me when I was the head football coach at Galveston Ball. I last saw him at mass at St Bernadette some years ago. My prayers go out to the family.
Miller Bassler
left a message on July 12, 2020:
Joe was my receivers coach at UH from 1971 thru 1975 and unlike many of our old hardliners coaches, Joe was loved by all of his receiver corp group of athletes. Joe was always optimistic, upbeat, and a great teacher. Plus I can also remember him running around that hot humid field in the hottest garb he could wear and was fit beyond fit, workin this tail off to stay that way . What an American Hero that had a very positive effect on my life. RIP Coach Joe!
Erika Huerta
left a message on July 9, 2020:
may he rest in peace.
Johnny Arenas
left a message on July 8, 2020:
Truly a great loss. Uncle Joe has made us all proud. The honor and energy which he lead life with is an example to follow. I remember him say "Hey man keep moving forward". I thank Vicky for being there in his need and hope that our family will have peace knowing Uncle Joe is now at peace with our other family members that have passed. Thank you uncle for your service and leadership.
Love Johnny and Marie Arenas.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Trudy Arenas Lane
left a message on July 7, 2020:
Uncle Joe, you will be truly missed by us all. Your legacy will live on forever in our hearts and family forever. We love you and always will. May you Rest in Peace Uncle.
Love you always
Trudy and Doug Lane
left a message:
Our thoughts remain with you and your family at this time. We are honored by the trust and confidence you have placed in us during this difficult time. – The Staff of Malloy Funerals & Cremations
Show More
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Katy Washburn
left a message on September 23, 2020:
Dear Tracey and Vickie and all of Joe's family,
You all have been in my thoughts and prayers. Joe was like a father to me. So many wonderful memories in Houston and Galveston. I will miss his smile, hugs, and laughter. I last saw him when I went to visit him after Max's death. She was like a second mom. I left a ceramic dog on her grave representing all the stray dogs she took in that Joe didn't know about. I told him that story and how Tracey and I were responsible for hiding them in the apartment. He didn't know about that. He smiled and teared up. He told me later he cemented the dog to her headstone. I will visit her and Joe when I can and place a large stone that looks like a shark's tooth on his grave. It reminds me of Joe, strong, powerful, and of the beach, their second home and a sacred place in my heart. I'm forever grateful for their love and support and for yours Tracey. Your homes were a safe haven so much needed in my teenage years.
Love, Katy
Jerry Drones
left a message on July 12, 2020:
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Joe. He was a great man, coach and a friend. I played at U of H . He helped me in school and tried to help me when I was the head football coach at Galveston Ball. I last saw him at mass at St Bernadette some years ago. My prayers go out to the family.
Miller Bassler
left a message on July 12, 2020:
Joe was my receivers coach at UH from 1971 thru 1975 and unlike many of our old hardliners coaches, Joe was loved by all of his receiver corp group of athletes. Joe was always optimistic, upbeat, and a great teacher. Plus I can also remember him running around that hot humid field in the hottest garb he could wear and was fit beyond fit, workin this tail off to stay that way . What an American Hero that had a very positive effect on my life. RIP Coach Joe!
Erika Huerta
left a message on July 9, 2020:
may he rest in peace.
Johnny Arenas
left a message on July 8, 2020:
Truly a great loss. Uncle Joe has made us all proud. The honor and energy which he lead life with is an example to follow. I remember him say "Hey man keep moving forward". I thank Vicky for being there in his need and hope that our family will have peace knowing Uncle Joe is now at peace with our other family members that have passed. Thank you uncle for your service and leadership.
Love Johnny and Marie Arenas.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Trudy Arenas Lane
left a message on July 7, 2020:
Uncle Joe, you will be truly missed by us all. Your legacy will live on forever in our hearts and family forever. We love you and always will. May you Rest in Peace Uncle.
Love you always
Trudy and Doug Lane
left a message:
Our thoughts remain with you and your family at this time. We are honored by the trust and confidence you have placed in us during this difficult time. – The Staff of Malloy Funerals & Cremations
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.