In Loving Memory
Joseph Louis
March 29, 1944 – February 7, 2021
Joseph Richard Louis of San Rafael, Calif., died on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 after struggling with cancer for several months. He was 76.
Joe was born on March 29, 1944, in Downey, Calif., the fourth child and second son of Guy R. Louis, Jr., and Augustine Cira Louis. He grew up in a rollicking family that eventually included five kids: the two Louis girls, Patty and Joni, and the three boys, Guy III, Joe and Donald.
Joe valued education. After dropping out of high school, he completed a GED, then went to community college and onto San Jose State College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Later, he received a master’s in business administration from Santa Clara University. He had a distinguished career in finance, working for firms including Bechtel and Bank of America.
In June 1970, Joe married Arlene McCabe. Together they had two daughters, Heather Anne and Leslie Aileen. In September 1991, he married Sharon Sigurdson, his wife of nearly 30 years.
Joe was 6-foot-4, a giant of a man, with a huge smile, a booming voice and nonstop stories. He was an avid cyclist and runner and a world traveler. He loved animals and was a volunteer and donor with Marin Humane. Together, he and Sharon had five dogs, including his pal Buddy.
Joe is survived by his wife, Sharon Sigurdson Louis of San Rafael; his daughters, Heather Louis Olivier of Medford, Ore., and Leslie Louis, of Portland, Ore., and his two beloved grandchildren, Chloe and Noah Olivier of Medford. He is also survived by his sisters, Pat E. Pope of Durango, Colo., and Joni Michel of Parker, Colo.; and his brother, Don Louis, of Costa Mesa, Calif. Also surviving are his nieces, JoNel Aleccia of Happy Valley, Ore., Jana MacWilliams of Denver, Gina Pope of Durango, Rechelle Louis of La Habra, Calif., and his nephews, David Pope of Corona, Calif., Guy Louis IV of Sparks, Nev., Tony Louis of San Diego, Calif., Nick Louis of Newport Beach, Calif., and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
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Digital Memorial Ceremony
Saturday, February 20, 2021
2:00 P.M. PST
Thank you to those of you who joined our virtual memorial ceremony to honor Joseph’s life.
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Donations
Joseph’s family has asked that guests who wish to make a donation in his honor consider donating to Marin Humane in Joseph’s name.
I shared several years of commuting with Joe between Walnut Creek and San Francisco as well as many family gatherings. Our trips were filled with delightful talk of sports, politics and humor. I’m sorry I’ve been out of contact for so many years as I have been employed in Wa and Alaska.
I first met Joe in the mid 1990’s when we were both members of the same cycling club. We were just acquaintances that met occasionally on club rides. Then I moved to Tucson and Joe moved to Santa Fe. After my bout with pancreatic cancer in 2010 I started coming to the Bay Area in June and Sept (the hot months in Tucson) cycling my favorite rides in the Bay Area.
I reconnected with Joe during these visits and that was the start of our amazing friendship (we were like brothers). Joe would cycle with me staying overnight many times at the houses I rented in the Bay Area. We also went on many week long cycling trips to San Luis Obispo, Solvang. Santa Rosa & Healdsburg,
Other than Sharon, probably most of his family does not know me, but I know most of you through the stories Joe would share with me and I know he loved you all! After his initial diagnosis Joe and I were on the phone discussing options and treatments. My biggest regret, Joe called before his surgery and wanted to spend a week in SLO or Solvang cycling and I did not try hard enough to make this happen. In our last phone call Joe said “Fred I Love You”. I WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH!
LIKE FRED SAID, I MAY NOT KNOW ALL OF YOU BUT I KNOW YOU THROUGH HIM. HE HAD SOME GREAT FRIENDS THAT HE CHERISHED. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JOE CAME THROUGH MY SISTER-FRIEND, SHARON. I HAVE KNOWN JOE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND <JOE GREW TO BE A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE.<<<WE ALWAYS TALKED FRANKLY WITH ONE ANOTHER WHICH ISNOT ALWAYS THE CASE WITH MEN. He was always there when I needed him. Two things I know—<<<HIS LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. HE MISSED THEM DEARLY WHEN HE WASNT WITH THEM. THE LAST THING IS HIS LOVE OF OPERA. <HE WOULD JUST SING AND SING…..
At the time of the service I was thinking of Joe as I looked at Lake Tahoe from the Lakeview chair at Alpine Meadows. He may have experienced that view, I know he would loved it. Rest In Peace Joe.