Joe (Jose) J. Ramirez

Mass of Christian Burial for Joe (Jose) J. Ramirez, 90, of Lawrence, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. Joe passed away at his home on Monday, May 15, 2023.

He was born in Lawrence, Kansas on March 30, 1933, the son of Jesus Ramirez and Mary (Servin) Ramirez. He was a graduate of Liberty Memorial High School (now known as Liberty Memorial Central Middle School).

Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and then worked in the Buildings and Grounds Department of the University of Kansas (now known as Facilities Operations) until his retirement in 1995.

He married Lucy Lopez on August 4, 1956 in Osage City, Kansas. She survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Thomas, Frederick, and Daniel, and sisters Carmen Ornelas and Guadalupe Godinez. He is survived by his five children, Linda Sheppard (John), David (Cathy), Alicia Talbert, Chris (Lisa) and Jay (Michelle), 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, and seven siblings, Jessie Jr. (Martha), Michael (Anita), Richard (Pam) and Gilbert, Clara Bucia, Connie Mendoza, Carol (Ted) Laughead.

Joe was an avid K.U. basketball and football fan, and loved gardening and taking care of his lawn. He also enjoyed helping others and running errands and doing odd jobs for those in need of an extra hand. He was proud of his service in the Army and shared stories of his travels to Germany and Austria. He was also a semi-pro baseball player. He recently celebrated his 90 ^th birthday with a crowd of 80 family members, which included both a Jayhawk themed birthday cake and his favorite banana cream pie.

A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to LMH Health Cancer Center or the Gary Sinese Foundation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.