"Just a Thought" Column continues in La Prensa of SA, 6-28

Just a Thought: The passing of Joe Sandoval

By Steve Walker

The La Prensa family as well as the greater San Antonio media family and friends  are in mourning for veteran San Antonio newsman Joe Sandoval who passed away June 18^th from cancer.

Only a year younger than me, my friend Joe was only 67. In his media career and mine, we worked at some of the same places over the years, but not at the same time. Only at La Prensa for nearly the past five years did we finally work together. For me it was well worth it. He was a great journalist and great mentor as well.

Since both of us served in Viet Nam, we had much in common besides journalism. He graduated from John Kennedy High School in Edgewood ISD in 1967.  I taught in Edgewood ISD 1980-81 at Memorial High School.

Joe worked for a number of years as a reporter and assignments editor at La Prensa. He previously worked at News Radio 1200 WOAI in the late 1980s and at KTSA.  He had also served as camera assignment's editor in the 1990s at KENS-5 TV where I worked as a reporter in 1982. We both did a stint at KONO Radio as well, again at different times.

It was only recently that I learned that he was the winner of numerous radio and television awards from the AP, the Radio Television News Directors Association and other groups. He was a very modest man.

Last year we both joined the Retired Radio Broadcasters group that meets monthly to share old war stories and reminisce about the good old days. We used to joke that the memories were better than reality. We both are members of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists, (SAAHJ) as well. He was one of the earliest presidents of the organization.

Joe was also a cancer survivor, having survived colon cancer in the 2000s. Sadly it came back with a vengeance and took him from us.

Many tributes to Joe worked their way onto Facebook this past week. 

Christian Bove, a former 550 KTSA Reporter, now a spokesman for the Firefighters posted: “I got to speak with Joe just a few weeks ago when he called me to ask about some breaking news incident that was happening. I had no idea that would be the last time we would talk because I thought he would kick cancer again. RIP friend.”

Former KENS 5 Anchorman Chris Marrou posted: “A good guy whom I really enjoyed working with in the '90s. Like many others in our generation he dealt constantly with PTSD from the Vietnam days. RIP.”

Anais Biera Miracle posted: “I remember working with him throughout my PR career. Every time he would close our conversation, he would say, "Mija, we will see each other in the funny papers."

James Benevides a PR man at the Institute for Texan Cultures reminisced: “Loved Saturday morning tacos with Joe from time to time. The stories that guy could tell were unreal. A lifetime in the newsroom - you see humanity at its best and at its worst. God bless Joe and his family.”

Last week after his passing, at the SAAHJ meeting some media members shared with me a few recollections.  Express-News Columnist Elaine Ayala stated, “one of a kind. He never met an issue that he couldn’t disagree with, yet always made ‘no’ more amusing and vintage Joe. SAAHJ will miss him.”

Former KTSA PR women Yoli Arrellano shared: “He always got the story and was eager to be there for you when he could. He lived life one day at a time. He encouraged others not to give up.”

SAAHJ President Francisco Vara-Orta said: “Joe was a welcome force in journalism. He said what he thought and he kept at his craft for decades. I miss his humor and dedication to the local media community.”

Former KENS 5 Photographer Ed Lozano grinned when he recounted that Joe’s favorite expression was, “Don’t tell me your problems, I am not Oprah!”

Former Express-News Report Kym Fox added: “Joe was an institution in San Antonio journalism. He was also the voice of the annual gridiron show for years poking fun at local newsmakers. It will be difficult to replace him in September. It won’t be the same.”

UTSA PR man Kris Rodriguez pointed out that “Joe recruited me into the SAAHJ and was proud of what the organization was doing to promote students in pursuing careers in media.”

We will all miss a great journalist and truly a wonderful friend to all that knew him. Rest in Peace mi compadre, Joe Sandoval.

As always, I write “Just a Thought.”

Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran, a former Journalist & Justice of the Peace