Joseph A. Ramirez
Joe was born to Jose M. Ramirez and Maria de Jesus Leon Ramirez in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 21, 1942. Unfortunately, he endured a battle with cancer and, after 2.5 years, died on April 6, 2023. During his illness, his loving daughter, Joey, son-in-law Vincent, and brother Art provided him with the utmost care. In addition, his niece Lia Cabello and nephew Steve Ramirez were there for him through his journey.
Joe was raised on Vine Avenue in Santa Barbara and attended local schools: Our Lady of Guadalupe Elementary School through eighth grade, and Santa Barbara Catholic High School, known today as Bishop Diego High School.
Upon completing high school, Joe enlisted in the US Army in 1960 and served with the 101st Airborne Division from 1961-1963. After he completed his military duty in 1964, the famous Tommy Lasorda signed Joe to play professional baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Organization until 1968. After his professional baseball career, Joe was also known for playing competitive fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball at a high level in tournaments up and down the California coast. Joe had an extended career working for the City of Santa Barbara Street Department for 25 years and retired in 2003.
Joe is preceded in death by both parents, his brothers, Robert and Leonard Ramirez, his nephew, John Marquez, and his niece Salena Pereyra.
Joe is survived by his son, Paul Ramirez (Buffy); his daughter, Joey Uribe (Vincent II); his sisters, Carmen Robles and Hortencia Marquez; and his brother, Art Ramirez (Gerianne). In addition, Joe leaves behind his grandchildren: Sienna Ramirez, Vincent Uribe III (Andrea), John Uribe (Clara), Paul Ramirez Jr., Tania Alvarez (Payton), nine great-grandchildren, his nieces, and nephews; and especially his very best friend till the end, Noel Rivas.
The local AA community will remember Joe for his 43 years of sobriety and over 40 years of endearing support for members.
The Uribe and Ramirez families especially thank his caregivers for the exceptional care at his “last stop,” the Sarah House in Santa Barbara.
At 10:00 am on May 5, 2023, a funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Santa Barbara. Dodgers, Chargers gear, or blue attire is encouraged in a show of support for Joe’s favorite teams.