Joe Kelly Tombrella

SANTA FE – Mr. Joe Kelly Tombrella passed from this life Thursday evening, May 28, 2026, in Santa Fe.

Outstanding Alumni

Joe Kelly Tombrella was born in Alta Loma, now Santa Fe, in 1927 to Ed and Margaret Tombrella. He was born in the living quarters behind his grandfather’s store on the location where city hall currently stands. He started school at Alta Loma Elementary and graduated Santa Fe High School in 1944. While in high school, he grew to become a leader in one of his first leadership roles as captain of the 6-man football team during his senior year. He married Voncille Cheatham in 1947 and they had three children, all of whom also graduated from Santa Fe High School: Edward Tombrella, Jo Ann Tombrella Burnam, and Robert Tombrella.

Santa Fe Entrepreneur

After his marriage he became partner in his family retail grocery business. He soon became sole owner and constructed the town’s first modern grocery store building. In 1968, the store moved to Warpath Avenue where he built the Plaza Shopping Center. This center was an economic boom for the community, as it included a department store, restaurant, and other shops. For 21 years, he owned and managed the Santa Fe Minimax, and established several other business such as Santa Fe Fabrics, Kool Air, and Santa Fe Plaza Cleaners.

Santa Fe Leader

As a local civic leader, Mr. Tombrella was one of the founding members of the Alta Loma Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Chief for over 18 years. He helped establish the Santa Fe Little League, The Alta Loma Business Association (a precursor to the Chamber of Commerce), and he served on the Economic Development Board. He was elected to the Santa Fe Board of Trustees in 1958.

Greater-Galveston County Influence

He also served a term as President of the Galveston County Grocers Association, was on the College of the Mainland Founding Committee, was President of the Galveston County Firefighters Association, and a member of the county’s Juvenile Advisory Board. He served 14 years as director of the Security Savings and Loan Association.

Honors

Santa Fe has honored him with Man of the Year by the Alta Loma Business Association in 1968, Outstanding Citizen and Distinguished Member by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, and by naming Runge Park’s Little League complex in his honor. In 1988 he was named Citizen of the year by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce.

Galveston County has also recognized Mr. Tombrella with numerous awards. In 1979, he received the Howard O. Payne Award presented by the Texas City Mayor, Emmett Lowry, for his outstanding leadership in the community. After retiring from the Galveston County Beach Park Board, Commissioners Court proclaimed September 15, 1986, to be “Joe Kelly Tombrella Day” in Galveston County and he was honored with the Texas Recreation and Parks Society’s Individual Award.

In 1991, he was selected by the Galveston County Commissioners Court to receive the President H. W. George Bush 1000 Points of Light Award at the National Association of Counties Annual Conference. He was also awarded honors with the Santa Fe, Texas Education Foundation. Mr. Tombrella’s success in business and his dedicated civic services made him an outstanding alumnus of Santa Fe High School.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Voncille Tombrella; grandson, J. Scott Burnam.

He is survived by Janet Tombrella and Rachel Rodriquez; his children, Edward Tombrella of Santa Fe, Jo Ann and Jim Burnam of Santa Fe, Robert and Debbie Tombrella of Kerrville, Texas; grandchildren, Melissa and James Grassmuck, David and Dr. Josie Tombrella, Wesley and Michelle Burnam, Alan Burnam, Kimberly Burnam, Kelly Burnam, Rachel and Jason Harris, Rob and Michelle Tombrella, Dr. Joey and Michelle Tombrella; 19 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Larry Wilson Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Hayes Grace Memorial Park Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Kelly Jordan, Paul Wayne Jordan, Frank Marabella, Frank Murello, Frank J. Murello and Joe Tombrella. Honorary casketbearers will be Santa Fe Fire and Rescue.

Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Deacon Alvin Lovelady officiating. A Rosary will follow recited by the Knights of Columbus Council #10393.

The family would like to give a special thank you to All Care Home Health and Bristol Hospice.

Memorials in the form of donations may be made in Joe’s name to Santa Fe Fire and Rescue, 13112 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas 77510 or Knights of Columbus Council #10393, 11100 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas 77510.

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