Roll Call Tribute

Jose Ignacio Ramirez, Jr.
February 27, 1938 – June 27, 2022

The Lord called Jose I. Ramirez, Jr. to his final resting place on June 27, 2022 at the age of 84. Joe was born in Eagle Pass, TX on February 27, 1938, to Jose I. Ramirez and his wife Bertha Vela, Mexican natives who immigrated to the United States. Joe was the eldest of nine siblings: seven brothers and two sisters. He was a respectable son and learned his father’s trade in carpentry to help support the family.

He attended Eagle Pass High School where he had a teacher that encouraged him to explore the idea of attending college at Texas A&M University. Thanks to his Aunt Elodia and her husband Jesus Moncivais who offered to provide their home, he enrolled at A&M and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering.

During his last semester at Texas A&M, Joe met his best friend and soon-to-be wife Ernestine. Joe asked her to meet him for a coke and became absolutely smitten with her. The two were married on June 5, 1965 and welcomed three beautiful daughters.

Together with his brother Ray, they started their own construction company. A very generous man, he treated his employees with the same love and kindness as he did his family and was known to provide job opportunities for his siblings and fellow Aggies. He possessed a strong passion for helping others, always willing to offer his knowledge and time to help anyone in any way possible. Joe’s three daughters worked for him during their high school years where he helped them develop a solid work ethic and people skills, as well as taught them how to be strong independent women.

Joe never met a stranger. He had an amazing sense of humor and people loved to be around him. He was a very happy man, especially when the Aggies won! He greatly enjoyed taking his daughters to A&M football games when they were growing up. Joe loved to joke with his grandchildren always asking them: “Hey, do you know what they call an Aggie?” “Boss” and then he would burst out in laughter. He was especially proud to know that two of his granddaughters followed in his footsteps and chose to attend his alma mater.

As head of the very large Ramirez family, everyone looked up to Joe and his calm and collected nature guided the family in good times and in bad. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ray and Jorge. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Ernestine, and his three daughters: Monica Smith and husband Matthew; Sonya Caruso and husband David; and Miraya Ramirez. Joe was the proud and adored grandfather of Katya, Ella, and Mateo Smith; Angelica, Benjamin, and Cameron Walters; and David, Jr. and Alexis Caruso. He is also survived by his brothers Alfonso, Gilberto, Ricardo, Arturo; and sisters Mary Garcia and Stella Armatta; in addition to his many nieces and nephews.

Our family is deeply grateful and appreciative of all the love and support shown over the years by family, friends, the Sacred Heart Guild and recently the doctors, caregivers, hospice care, and his daughter Miraya, who cared for him in their home.

A Rosary will be held on July 29, 2022 at 9:00AM with a Mass following at 10:00AM in the Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church located at 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston TX 77025. A celebration of life will be held at the Ramirez Home immediately following the Mass service. The burial will be held on August, 1, 2022 at 11:00AM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston TX 77077.