Jose J Ramirez

Primera, TX - On Thursday, March 2nd, 2023, Jose Jesus “Joe” Ramirez, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, was carried away by angels peacefully at the age of seventy.

Joe was born February 15th, 1953 to Berta and Esequiel Ramirez in Harlingen, Texas. Joe was a graduate of Harlingen High School - Class of 1973. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and soon met his sweetheart, Diana Ayala. After five months of courtship, they married on February 28th, 1975. They were married for 48 wonderful years.

Joe was an advocate for his local community, serving the City of Primera for thirty years as Mayor or Commissioner. He was an educator for Santa Rosa Independent School District for thirty years, a CCD Teacher at Queen of Peace Church, and a Soccer Coach for the Blue Blazers for ten years. He helped establish the Rio Grande Valley Youth Soccer Club in Harlingen, and he was an active member of the G.I Forum, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. Joe proudly served his country in the Army during the Vietnam Era and as a member of the National Guard. He was a member of the Spartan Motor Club for fifteen years and ran for County Commissioner in 2000.

Joe leaves many behind to cherish his beautiful memory: His loving wife of forty-eight years Diana A. Ramirez, his children Jose Jesus “J.J.” of Primera, Veronica Gutierrez (David) of Harlingen, and Kristina Blazeck (John) of Atlanta, GA, his grandchildren Sebastian, Rowan, Ryan, Alaina, Theo and Ellie, his siblings Juanita and Arnold Sanchez of San Antonio, Mary Lou and Rodolfo Rosas of Brownsville, Ernesto Ramirez of Holland, MI, Robert and Betty Ramirez of Berwyn, IL, Raymond and Martha Ramirez of La Fox, IL and many cousins, nieces and nephews across country who will miss his loving nature and his sense of humor. Joe is proceeded in death by his parents Esquiel and Berta Ramirez and his brother Esquiel (Zeke) Ramirez Jr.

The family would like to thank the staff at Alfedo Gonzalez Texas State Veteran’s Home; Vicente, Savannah, Wes, Scott, Marylou, Paul, Lilly, Marlene, Diana, Oralia, and all staff in the Memory Unit.

Thank you for your great support, kindness, love and compassion in caring for my husband. Without your loving support, I would have never been able to navigate the difficulty of having a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

Special thanks also to Gentiva Hospice for caring for my husband in such a loving way and treating him with so much love and kindness.

A visitation for Joe will be on Wednesday March 8, 2023 from 2-9PM with a holy rosary at 7pm at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home in La Feria, TX. A funeral mass will take place Thursday March 9, 2023 at 10 AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Harlingen, TX following the mass will be a placement at Heavenly Grace Memorial Park.