Joseph C. Ramsey

1917 - 2010

Stockton, CA

Joseph C. Ramsey

Jan. 28, 1917 - September 19, 2010

Joseph Ramsey, a long time Stockton resident, San Joaquin County department head, and

Escalon dairy businessman, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2010, at Saint Joseph's Hospital with his family at his side.

He was born in Bishop, Texas in 1917 to James Ramsey and Nellie Falkenburg Ramsey. Joe was the fourth of ten children. The family left Texas for Kentucky where his father was ordained as a Methodist minister. Later, the family moved to Franklin, Indiana where Joe attended Hopewell High School. After graduation, he attended Purdue University where he received a degree in Agricultural Sciences and Animal Husbandry and played on the Purdue baseball team.

Upon graduating from Purdue, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy, attended Northwestern Naval Midshipmen School, and was commissioned as an Officer. He was assigned to the battleship U.S.S Mississippi which saw extensive action in the South Pacific. The damaged ship returned to San Francisco where he met his future wife, Ann Lucchesi. They were married in May of 1944, and Joe returned to his Naval service.

At the conclusion of World War II, he returned to California where he joined the San Joaquin County Agricultural Department as Farm Administrator. Joe was a County Department Head for 34 years. He spent the last four of those years as Superintendent of Micke Grove Park and Zoo, and retired from County service in 1980.

His lifetime ambition to build a herd of purebred Holstein dairy cattle was realized after his retirement when he devoted his energy to a private dairy business in Escalon, California. He received many awards for breeding excellent animals with high production levels. Joe was a life member of San Joaquin Farm Bureau and the Holstein-Freisan Association, and served on many committees in many capacities. He served as president and leader of the 4-H Council and was a regular judge of animals at County Fairs. His agricultural interests remained strong even after retirement. He enjoyed his frequent get-togethers with former County agricultural associates, many of whom were lifelong friends. Joe was also a life member and treasurer of the Amblers Club, and was an active participant in SIRS 46 where he oversaw and organized many of their activities. He was an avid bridge player, golfer, and a loyal fan of University of Pacific basketball.

After retirement, Joe and Ann traveled extensively and enjoyed many happy years with their good friends and their growing family. He is survived by his wife, Ann of 66 years, daughter Donna and son-in-law Dwight Sanders of Davis; daughter, JoAnne Harris of Danville; sons, Michael Ramsey of Los Angeles and Kurt Ramsey of Stockton, as well as grandsons, Christopher Sanders, Scott Harris, and Nicholas Sanders and a great-granddaughter, Autumn. His survivors also include one sister, Jessica Prosser of Indiana and many nieces and nephews.

Private family services will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the San Joaquin County Historical Society, P.O. Box 30, Lodi, California 95241. Please sign the online guestbook at www.cherokeememorial.com