Joe Jackson, Jr. 3rd Generation

Office Location: North
School: Houston Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Graduating Class of: 1974
President/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Joe Jr. is the 3rd generation of the Jackson Family to proudly work in the funeral industry.  Born in 1956 to Joe and Mary Therese Jackson he is the oldest son with his siblings Celeste (Bill), Mark (Jamie), and Tim.  He attended parochial schools until 1973 when St Joseph's Academy closed and he attended J. W. Nixon High School where he graduated in 1974.  After graduation he attended Laredo Junior College now Laredo Community College, Texas A & I at Laredo now Texas A & M International University at Laredo, Texas A & M University in College Station then went on to Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science in Houston, Tx. and graduated in 1978.  Upon returning to Laredo he continued to attend classes at Texas A & I while working full time.  In 1978 he passed his mortuary boards and after completing his apprenticeship under his father he received his Funeral Directors License in 1979 and his Embalmers License in 1980.  Today he serves as President of Joe Jackson Funeral Chapels and actively sustains his Funeral Directors/Embalmers License.

In 1980 Joe Jr married is high school sweetheart Elvira Campos.  Together they have 5 children: Joe III (Monica Castro) and their daughter Haley, Ellese, Samantha, Kathleen and Zachary.  Joe III and Ellese become the 4th generation Jackson's following the family tradition.  Joe III received his Mortuary Degree in 2002 and Ellese graduated from Texas State University in 2006 and is currently studying for her Funeral Directors license while working full time as Comptroller of Joe Jackson Funeral Chapels.  Samantha graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 with a B.S. in Biology and is currently studying towards a degree in speech language pathology; Kathleen is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin working towards her degree in Biology.  The youngest of the family is Zachary who is in elementary school.

In his free time Joe Jr enjoys many sports activities mainly golf and biking but music is a definite pleasure.

Joseph Michael Jackson, III 4th Generation

Office Location: Heights
School: San Antonio College
Graduating Class of: 2002
Funeral Director/Embalmer/Corporate Secretary and Treasure

Joseph Michael Jackson III, oldest grandson to Joe and Mary Therese Jackson Sr., the founders of now Joe Jackson Funeral chapels Inc., and eldest son to Mr. Joe and Elvira Jackson.  The founder of H L Jackson (downtown) is his great-grand- father; making him a fourth generation licensed funeral director of Texas.

Joseph attended Ursaline elementary where he was an alter server for school masses; as well as, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  At a very young age, Joseph volunteered his time at the funeral chapels.  This is when he grew an interest in the mortuary industry.  Always interested and excelling in sports in his earlier years in life, e played Varsity tennis for four years helping his team win district four years in a row. Respectively receiving MVP his Junior year of high school.  He graduated from United High School in 2000.  Further continuing his education, he attended Laredo Community College in 2000; where he obtained his basics before going to San Antonio College of Mortuary Science.  There he graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Science.

Once he returned to Laredo, Joseph along with his Father and co-workers began to generate ideas to expand the family business, such as the new addition to the Jackson Funeral Chapels- located on Jacaman Road.

Today, Joseph is one of the friendly funeral directors of Joe Jackson Funeral Chapels, Inc.  Along with his sister, Ellese, both aspire to keep the family tradition ongoing and strong in Laredo.

When he is not directing a funeral, embalming or finalizing future funerals, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing various sports.

Ellese Jackson 4th Generation

Office Location: North
School: Amarillo College
Graduating Class of: 2010
Comptroller/Corporate Secretary and Treasure/Apprentice Funeral Director

Ellese Jackson is the oldest daughter to Joe and Elvira Jackson Jr and also the oldest granddaughter to Joe and Mary Therese Jackson, Sr. the founders of Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, now Joe Jackson Funeral Chapels.  H. L. Jackson, the founder of Jackson Funeral Home ( Downtown) would be her great grandfather making her the 4th generation Jackson in the funeral industry here in Laredo.

Ellese attended local parochial schools and graduated from High School in 2002.  She continued her education attending Laredo Community College, University of Texas at San Antonio and then to Texas State University where she graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications.  She returned to Laredo and joined the Administrative branch of Joe Jackson Funeral Chapels where through dedication and hard work she now holds the hectic position of Comptroller for the Funeral Chapels overseeing the Family's 2 Funeral Chapels (Heights and North), a Chapel (Springfield) and the Joe Jackson Monument Company.

Even though work takes up much of her time she has found time to be family, work out and when it's quiet, read a book or two.

Mario A. Aguero

Office Location: Heights
School: Dallas Institute of Funeral Service
Graduating Class of: 1988
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Mario Alberto Aguero is a first generation U.S. citizen.  He demonstrates a tenacious and morally driven work ethic inherited through many family generations.  Possessing since childhood a genuine gift of empathy, Mario’s innate desire to serve others ignited at the age of 10 his passion for the Funeral Service profession. 

Mario graduated from J. W. Nixon High School in 1987.  He entered

The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and graduated in 1988 with an Associates of Applied Science in Funeral Directing and Embalming.  Upon returning to Laredo, he continued his work with his families trucking and construction business until his joining the staff at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels in 1999. 

Mario is a loving husband to his beautiful wife and high school sweetheart Davyne, with whom he has two precious daughters, Elysse and Anneka.  He is a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and a longtime member and active participant of The South Texas Funeral Directors Association and Texas Funeral Directors Association.   

Mario is an outdoor enthusiast, an avid hunter, fisherman, wake boarder, snowboarder, and griller extraordinaire.  Mario’s volunteer efforts include:  neighborhood beautification, Earth Day activities, and assistant coach for his daughters’ basketball team.  Mario keeps extremely busy when not on the job and his most favorite volunteer effort is being a wonderful father and role model to his two beautiful daughters.

Samuel Villegas

Office Location: North
School: Houston Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Graduating Class of: 2004
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Samuel is the youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. Raul and Hortencia Villegas.  He was born and raised in Laredo, TX in 1977.  He entered the Houston Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in 2003 earning his Associate’s Degree in 2004.  His siblings are:  Irma Butron, Raul, Gerardo “Jerry”, Euardo “Eddie”, and Javier “Javi” Villegas.  He began working with Joe Jackson Funeral Chapels when he was 16, working as a funeral service attendant and maintenance assistant always looking up to his older brother, Raul Villegas, who also is a funeral director/embalmer and whose inspiration led Samuel to earn his degree in Mortuary Science.  Samuel is a member of the Christ Worship Center Congregation and is married to Ana Alicia Villegas (Vela) and together has three adoring children, Samantha Lizette (8), Sonia Alexis (4) and Samuel “Boy”, Jr. (2).  Samuel is a sports fanatic, always looking forward to cooking outside and inviting friends and family.

Manuel de Jesus Osorio

Office Location: North
School: Amarillo College of Mortuary Science
Graduating Class of: 2009
Funeral Director

Manuel was born on September 2, 1983 to Mr. & Mrs. Manuel G. Osorio. He has a younger brother who works as a Border Patrol Agent. Manuel is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, where he plays the organ and is a substitute Catechist. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Santo Nino Council #7692. He is a member of the parish council and the Bingo committee.

Manuel enjoys listening to Gospel, Classical and Catholic Music. He is an avid fan of the Harry Potter series.
Manuel joins our staff as our newest member, having graduated in the Spring of 2009 and finished his apprenticeship in late 2009. He received his license, in Funeral Directing on December 2, 2009. He is currently serving his apprenticeship as a Provisional Embalmer as well, which he will soon finish.