Joe G. Ramirez's Obituary
Jose "Joe" G. Ramirez, loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, brother and uncle, of Longview, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 5, 2020, at the age of 89. Joe was born in Mission, Texas, on April 27, 1931, to Carlos and Ventura Ramirez. The eldest child, he grew up with siblings Enrique, Carlos, Antonio, Miguel, Maria, and Ramon. While still in high school, he joined the United States Navy, serving our country for four years aboard the USS Boxer during the Korean War. He returned home to Mission to attend Pan American University in Edinburgh, Texas, graduating with a B.A. in Sociology. Following graduation, he accepted a position with the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America. He worked for the Boy Scouts in several Texas cities until his retirement in 1994 as Director of Hispanic Scouting in Houston. Joe touched the lives of countless young men, helping them become productive citizens for which he was awarded the Boy Scout Silver Beaver distinguished service award in 2000.
While in college, a medical emergency brought him to Monterrey, Mexico, where he met and married Maria Luisa Colchado (deceased). The couple were blessed with four children. Being a responsible and dependable father was of the utmost importance to Joe. He certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family.
God later brought Carolyn and her son, Jeffrey Buehring, to enrich Joe's life. Joe and Carolyn were happily married for over 26 years and together they served in numerous volunteer capacities, including East Texas Area Boy Scouts, Longview Too AMBUCS, the Alzheimer's Association, and Meals on Wheels. Joe was a proud veteran and active member of American Legion Post 232, serving as adjutant and commander. Over the past ten or so years, he enabled more than 100 families to enter and leave their homes by constructing access ramps with his American Legion and AMBUCS teams, and assembled numerous Amtrykes for people with mobility issues. Joe was happiest when he was helping people in need, and was named as the 2010 Man of the Year by the Longview Federated Clubs in recognition of his community involvement. He had also been active in Rotary Club, both in Longview and Houston, as well as The Knights of Columbus (Houston). Joe was a faithful and active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Longview. And for those who knew him well, he always had a song in his heart, and music on his lips, with his harmonica at the ready to share a tune. He could play almost anything, but was especially fond of patriotic songs and gospel music. However, being the Lone Ranger’s biggest fan, he could play the William Tell Overture to perfection!
In addition to Carolyn and Jeffrey, Joe is survived by his children, Frank and Janice Ramirez, Luis Carlos Ramirez, Ana Marie Colchado and Jose G. (Gerry) Ramirez, along with grandchildren Linda Ramirez, Daniel Ramirez, Alonzo (Lonnie) Spencer, Marcelina and Ryan Johnson, Max and Lindsay Spencer, and Stefania Glaros; and great-grandchildren Julius Michael Garza, Cyrus Andrew Zapata, Joseph Barnabas Johnson, Anastacia Maria Johnson, and Jonathan Paul Johnson. Also surviving are his siblings, Carlos Ramirez, Maria Gonzalez, Ramon and Sylvia Ramirez, two sisters-in-law, Alicia Ramirez and Alicia Ramirez, his mother-in-law, Dorothy Berg, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty and Bob Rodgers, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Enrique, Antonio and Miguel and sisters-in-law, Carmen Ramirez and Esther Ramirez.
A Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2108 Ridgewood Drive, Longview. The Rosary will be at 12:30 p.m., followed by visitation at 1:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will begin at 2:00 p.m., Father Daniel Dower, Celebrant. Due to COVID restrictions, masks will be required. The Mass will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/stmaryslongview. Interment will be at a later date at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Mary's Catholic Church (2108 Ridgewood Drive, Longview TX 75605), or American Legion Post 232 (P. O. Box 386, Longview TX 75606), or Longview Too AMBUCS (P. O. Box 331, Longview TX 75606).
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