Joseph D. Ramirez

Major Joseph De La Cruz Ramirez (Ret. USAR) – Age 92 of Santa Fe passed away on Monday, December 12, 2005. He retired from the New Mexico State Highway Department. He served in World War II under General George Patton as the Captain of the 20th Tank Battalion. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert "Bob" Paul Ramirez one month ago on, November 12, 2005; parents: Cleofas Ramirez and Guadalupe De La Cruz-Ramirez; father and mother-in-law: Miguel Sr. and Ignacia Chaparro; brother, Manuel Ramirez and his wife, Aurelia; sisters, Eva Enriquez and her husband Raymundo, Susie Mendoza and her husband Pete, and Elizabeth Mania; and also brother-in-law, Sammy Carrillo. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Doris Ramirez of Santa Fe; daughter, Barbara Rivera and husband Fernando of Santa Fe; son, Michael Ramirez and wife Sandra of Santa Fe; grandsons: Erik Ramirez of Santa Fe and Matthew Rivera of Jacksonville, FL; granddaughters: Samantha Ramirez of Woodridge, IL and Michaeleen Ramirez and boyfriend, Jude Madril of Santa Fe, Collette Rivera of Mesa, Arizona; great-grandson, Isaiah Madril of Santa Fe, sister, Ophelia Carrillo of Las Cruces; brothers: C.C. Ramirez of Santa Fe and Rudy Ramirez and wife Evangelina of Henderson, NV; brother-in-law, Albert Chaparro and wife Ann of Santa Fe; sister-in-law, Susan Ramirez of Santa Fe; and numerous other relatives and friends. Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thursday December 15th at 7:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Osage St. in Santa Fe, ((public visitation will be held one hour prior to the Rosary.) The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday at 9:00 am at the same church with interment to follow at The Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors with the following serving as pallbearers, Erik, Michael, and Samantha Ramirez, Ben Tapia and Steve and Greg Chaparro.Honorary Pallbearers are Fernando Rivera, Emilio Enriquez, J.C. Ramirez, Gilbert Ramirez and also the surviving members of the 20th Tank Battallion. For information please contact the Rivera family of Block-Salazar Mortuary (505) 753-2288, toll free (800) 443-4854