Jose F. Berlanga

Jose F. Berlanga, known to his friends as “J.B.,” passed away peacefully at his home in Surprise, Arizona, on August 11, 2026.

Jose was born on June 13, 1949, in Mission, Texas, to Eduardo and Josefina Berlanga. He graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Prairie View, Illinois, in 1967, and spent most of his adult life in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Later, he lived and worked in Gainesville, Georgia, before relocating to Surprise, Arizona, where he retired.

Jose built a long career in manufacturing, including many years as a machinist for Avon Cosmetics and later working for Wrigley. His employers valued his remarkable ability to troubleshoot and fix almost anything in the factory. That talent extended well beyond his work. Cars were his specialty, and he was rarely far from a project—working on his own vehicles or helping someone else with theirs. If something was broken, Jose usually wanted to see if he could fix it.

It was at Avon that Jose met Carmen, the love of his life. They married in 1986 and would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year. Jose adored Carmen and affectionately referred to her as “his girl” throughout their life together. After Carmen passed away in March, Jose missed her deeply.

Jose loved the outdoors, especially fishing, but in his later years he became particularly well known for another passion: building birdhouses. A few years ago, he began making them from scratch, originally hoping to sell them. When the sales never quite took off, he simply kept making them as a hobby. Many eventually became treasured gifts for friends and family.

Each birdhouse was uniquely his. He hand-painted them in rich, warm colors and decorated them with objects he repurposed in wonderfully creative ways—turning pinecones into trees, chili peppers into decorations, and acorns into outdoor lights. It seemed like everyone knew about Jose's birdhouses, and many people were fortunate enough to have one.

Jose also had a distinctive sense of style. When he dressed up to go out, he could often be found in his favorite western wear, complete with cowboy hat, western belt, and cowboy boots. It was unmistakably J.B.

Those who knew Jose will also remember his deep, hearty laugh that came from his gut and was unmistakably his own. His laugh, creativity, mechanical ingenuity, and generous spirit made him a memorable presence in the lives of those around him.

Jose is survived by his sons, Adam Berlanga of Atlanta, Georgia, and Eduardo Berlanga of Salina, Kansas, along with family and friends who will remember him with great affection.

Jose lived life in his own way. He loved deeply, worked with his hands, fixed just about anything, created things simply because he enjoyed doing so, and never stopped making those birdhouses. Most of all, he loved “his girl,” Carmen.

He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on through his sons, his family and friends, the many birdhouses he created, and that unforgettable laugh.