BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Joseph Haynes Sevier, 77, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021 after a short battle with cancer. He was born on May 10, 1944 and was the second son to John Sevier of New Haven, Connecticut and Edith Badeau of Rockville Centre, New York. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his wife of 45 years, Ursula Procell Sevier. He is survived by Linda Exelente, his longtime loving companion; his brother, Johnnie Sevier (Olga); his children, Michelle Sevier Kyral (Danny) of Harlingen and John Sevier (Rosy) of Brownsville; his grandchildren, Danielle Kyral of San Antonio, Shane Kyral (Caressie) of Harlingen, Devin and Allison Kyral of Harlingen, Manuel and Erick Apolinar of Brownsville, and John Howard Sevier III of Brownsville; and his great-grandchildren, Austin and Andrea Licona of Brownsville, and Catalina and Ariel Garcia of Brownsville.
He grew up in Mexico City and came to the United States as a junior in high school where he attended St. Edward’s boarding school in Austin, Texas. He graduated from there in 1962 and went on to the University of Dallas where he met his future wife, Ursula. They both transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where they went to school and worked. In their free time, they enjoyed many nights of playing bridge with their friends entertaining each other on the tightest of budgets. They got married and started to raise their family in Austin. In Joe’s senior year, with a wife, two children and a full course load, he held three different jobs and started on his path of developing an incredibly strong work ethic and excellent people skills.
After he graduated in 1968, Joe started working in the piano business in Houston, Texas, and loved it so much that he decided to branch out on his own and open his own music store in Brownsville in 1974. The name of his first store in Brownsville was Valley Pianos and Organs. The name of his store morphed a few times over the years until he settled on Mr. Music, for which he became best known. He enjoyed bringing the gift of music into the lives of families and seeing some of Mr. Music’s students eventually become music teachers, band directors, and professional musicians. He and his wife Ursula loved the Brownsville community and built a wonderfully, large circle of friends with other parents who had their kids at St. Joseph Academy.
Joe LOVED to watch football and baseball. His favorite teams were the Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, and the Astros. He also loved spending time with his family and NEVER forgot a birthday! He could always be counted on to provide a thoughtful and humorous card along with a gift to celebrate the occasion. He will forever be remembered as a dedicated and loving husband, a father who went to great lengths to provide for his family, and a caring and fun grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed various activities with his grandkids such as golfing, tennis, buying them gifts, and just spending time with them. When it came to attending baseball games, concerts, or other activities the grandkids were involved in, “Haha” always made time to attend.
Telling stories was another forte of his. He had a memory like no other and could recall details from many years ago. His stories usually had some memorable or comedic event which he would always tell in a style that was truly his own. He also had a great acuity for sports statistics and could remember scores and significant facts from games that happened over 50 years ago.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.
There will not be a procession to the church, so we ask that everyone meet at the church for the Funeral Mass which will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021 at Our Lord of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 650 E. Alton Gloor Boulevard, Brownsville. All services will conclude after the Mass with cremation to follow in accordance with his wishes.
Eusebio Garza, Ruben Reyna, Manuel Apolinar, Erick Apolinar, John Sevier III, Shane Kyral, Devin Kyral, and Allison Kyral are honored to serve as his pallbearers.
Memories of Joe may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.
Personalized funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.