Photo courtesy of the City of Odessa.
Odessa mayor also serves as his father’s caretaker
Ahead of Father’s Day weekend this year came this touching story about an elderly Odessa citizen who gets extra special attention from the city’s mayor.
In the wake of his mother’s passing, Odessa Mayor Javier Joven makes breakfast for his father, Jose, a legendary local boxing coach, every morning at his childhood home, according to the city. On many days, the mayor will return to make his father lunch, as well.
Caretaking for your parent is no easy task, particularly for someone elected to respond to the needs of all city residents. Jose says he “wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for my caring son.” Meanwhile, his son says caretaking for loved ones, while often stressful and frustrating, is worth it “to hold on to them for just a few extra years.”
According to the city, Jose moved to Odessa in the 1950s. In April, he was among local sports figures honored with pictures posted at Patrick Clay’s Icon Tavern. He won a championship in the Light Weight Division during his boxing days in Mexico, and trained countless boxers in Odessa, including the late boxing legend Ruben Munoz Jr., according to the city.
