Joe "Bunky" Macias

1932 - 2026

Joe "Bunky" Macias, 93, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and veteran, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born in 1932 in Carpinteria, California, Joe attended local schools and played baseball and football for the Carpinteria High School Warriors, graduating in 1951. Following graduation, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army, training as an infantryman and paratrooper at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served on the main line of resistance during the Korean War with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in 1952, followed by a second deployment with the 7th Infantry Division in 1953. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

In 1956, Joe married Celia Gonzales, and they remained together until her passing in 2014. In 1957, he became one of Carpinteria's first walking U.S. Postal Service letter carriers alongside his friend, Lorenzo Martinez. Throughout his career, Joe was known for carrying more than just the mail; his bag often held sweet treats and small gifts for local children and treats for the neighborhood dogs. He served as an NALC union shop steward and was eventually conferred a lifetime membership for 50 consecutive years of service to the National Association of Letter Carriers.

An active member of his community, Joe coached youth baseball during the 1960s, belonged to the American GI Forum, and volunteered for many years at the St. Joseph Catholic Church annual summer festival. After retiring in 1987, he dedicated his time to Child Abuse Listening and Mediation (CALM), a Santa Barbara nonprofit. Joe was a devoted supporter of the Carpinteria High School Athletics Booster Club and took great joy in watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, band, dance, and cheerleading.

Joe is survived by his four sons, Joey (Annette), Ricky (Cheryl), Ruben (Cyndi), and Mario; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his younger sister, Maria "Chica" Decierdo. He was preceded in death by his wife, Celia, and his four brothers, Edward, Henry, David, and Ruben.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of the Sansum Medical Clinic and the Visiting Nurse Association for their care. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.