Jose R. Oural's Obituary
José R. Oural, 94, of Tampa, died Saturday, April 27, 2019. He was born in Tampa on February 13, 1925 to Ramón and Josefa Oural. He was preceded in death by his wife Hilda, his sister Melba Hero, and his parents. He is survived by his son Mark, son Craig and his wife Cathy, grandchildren Matthew Oural, Kimberly Thorpe and husband Patrick, and Christopher Oural; and several nieces, nephews and relatives in Tampa, Spain and Argentina. Although a native Tampeño, José spent his early youth in Galicia, Spain with his mother and sister until the shadow of fascism overtook the country and they returned to the US under special diplomatic authority in 1936. A US Army veteran of WWII and Korea, he was a member of the clandestine services as an operative for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). In May 1944, he undertook a solo mission into occupied France to disrupt and misdirect radio communications, materiel and personnel in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe. José retired after nearly 30 years as a manager for the Sherwin Williams Ybor City branch, then started his own paint sales business until selling it in 1987. Active in his community, he was a founding member of the Ybor City Sertoma Club and it’s first president in 1962, a member of the Centro Asturiano and president from 2009 to 2013, the Centro Español, and the Woodworkers Club of Tampa and president in 2001. He was an amateur radio operator connecting with hundreds worldwide and served with fellow area ham radio operators providing a vital link in the flow of information associated with delivery of supplies and aid during natural disasters. As a member of the Tampa & Ybor City Street Railway Society, José used his woodworking skills in the complete restoration of wood interior and bench seats of the original TECO Birney 163 Streetcar.
The family would like to especially thank his companion of 20 years, Amalia “Mollie” Owens for her love and caring for José and her adopted family, and the family of his lifelong friend Angel Rañon for their friendship and support. Angel and José shared a unique history and bond, a proud Spanish heritage, witnesses to the continual transformations of Ybor City and West Tampa and the impacts on Tampa history, and curiously, small roles in two films by James Fernandez and Luis Argeo. The family also would like to thank Red Hogan and wife Ellen for their loyal friendship throughout the years and will miss the daily coffee visits with his well-seasoned pals.
The family will receive friends Thursday Evening, May 2, 2019, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Avenue. José will be entombed next to his wife Hilda in the Centro Asturiano Cemetery at 5400 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd on Friday in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Centro Asturiano de Tampa, the Centro Español de Tampa Foundation, or the charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Jose?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jose?
Share a story where Jose's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jose you’ll never forget.
How did Jose make you smile?
