Jose (Nelson) Leona Encarnacion Jr., Corpus Christi, TX, was born in Biwas, Tanza, Cavite, Philippines on March 1, 1940, to Jose A. Encarnacion and Rosario (Leona) Encarnacion. He had 8 brothers Rolando, Teodoro, Rodelio, Herminio, Joselito, Fernando, Emmanuel, and Ador Encarnacion and 2 sisters Eulinia Encarnacion Padua and Rosalita Encarnacion Buensuceso whom he loved dearly.

In 1958, he began his journey in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in many different parts of the world, served in the Vietnam war from 1968-1971, and proudly served for a total of 22 years. After retiring in Corpus Christi, he continued to work hard as a firefighter for the Corpus Christi Naval air station, where he dedicated an additional 20 years.

In 1960, while stationed in Beeville Tx, he attended a wedding with a friend, where he met the love of his life, Belinda (Rodriguez). He asked for her father's permission to dance, and they fell in love. Following a long courtship and many long distance love letters shared between them, they were married on June 27, 1965. They shared five children— Jose, Julius, Joseph, Nelson and Luzviminda (Mindy); and five grandchildren— Nikolas, Kayla, Mia, Ava, and Kamryn.

Jose enjoyed cooking, watching western or action movies, YouTube videos of his home country, outdoor crafts and cooking and going for rides on his new trike. He also enjoyed listening to music and dancing with his beloved wife.

He was known for his silly personality as well as having a big heart, being gentle, kind, selfless, and always thought about others. He was hard working, dedicated and devoted to his family.

He is preceded in death by; his beloved wife of 59 years Belinda Encarnacion, their three sons, Jose, Julius, and Joseph Encarnacion, his parents Jose A. Encarnacion and Rosario L. Encarnacion, his in-laws Raymond Rodriguez and Hazel G. Rodriguez and Margaret R. Oliveira and Horacio Oliviera, his brothers, Rolando L. Encarnacion, Teodoro L. Encarnacion, Rodelio L. Encarnacion, Joselito L. Encarnacion, and his sister
Eulinia Encarnacion Padua.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his two children Nelson (Melanie) and Luzviminda (Paul), his five grandchildren, Nikolas (Jozette), Kayla (Adam), Mia, Ava, and Kamryn. His siblings, Herminio (Ellen), Rosalita (Oscar), Fernando (Nancy), Emmanuel (Susan), and Ador (Joy). As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Public visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Guardian Funeral Home Chapel with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at Guardian Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral procession to depart at 10:30 a.m. to St. Cyril Catholic Church for a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery.