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Joe Rateau Obituary

RATEAU, "Hello anybody, Jockey Joe on the radio." One of Denver's former favorite KYGO and KLZ radio personalities, 68, died December 8, 2007 from complication of diabetes. Husband of Alice; father of Joe and Julie; grandfather of Brandy, Cody, Kristi; Stephanie, and Natasha; greatgrandfather of Joey and Presley. Loved and will be missed by many. Service: 2 pm, Wed., The Barn @ Evergreen Memorial Park, 26624 N. Turkey Crk. Rd. (303-674-7750). Visitation at 1 pm. Memorials to The Joseph Rateau Memorial Fund, Bellco Credit Union, PO Box 17000, Denver 80217-7000.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Denver Post on Dec. 11, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Joe Rateau

15 Entries

Roy Butz

March 25, 2018

R.I.P

Julie Dobbs

February 20, 2008

I've known him my whole life and he made me feel very special and very loved.He was a big kid.He taught me to be and individual, a leader.I used to stand on his work boots and we'd dance when I was five.He also taught me to steer the car at six.I miss making cakes with him on a stool licking the bowl and smearing it on each other.He was a very good looking man who took my breath away. His very presence was magical.I Loved his deep voice so did his fans.He was my buddy and I valued every bit of advice he gave me.In public his fans would tell me, Your lucky to know him but I already knew that.He made my life so great.I've met famous people or average fans,traveled and learned how to really LIVE Life.He was an orphan at age 4,so I received double love.He got his dream of becomming a radio announcer,acquiring a loving family,and getting to know and love lots of people.Thanks for the memories,I will always love you daddy and life is not the same..Julie

Jim Weber

February 12, 2008

I met Joe when I worked at the Aurora Police Department. It turned into a friendship. He invited me to the 56/KLZ studios a couple of times while he did the show and I met him several times at remotes he did. I found him and his family to be very engaging and friendly. I always enjoyed listening to him during the heyday years at 56/KLZ. The station used to play a promotional jingle that said "THERE'S ONLY ONE 56/KLZ" That certainly could be said about JOCKEY JOE. "THERE'S ONLY ONE."

Jim Weber
Detective, Retired
Aurora Police Department

Linda Meyer

January 17, 2008

Joe was my big brother who I love and will miss very much. So many wonderful memories were shared by our whole family. Family was so important to Joe and vacations were more fun when shared with the whole family, brother, sisters, spouses and the kids. He loved sharing. He interviewed the stars and was kind enough to talk to those who were homeless. He even made a record about a homeless man he met. He was my brother in law but he was like my big brother. Thanks for the precious memories.

Brandy Rateau

December 24, 2007

Papaw I will miss everything about you. Thank you for loving me so much and showing me that I can do anything that I put my mind to.My favorite memory of you is when you wanted to drive to the grocery store when your eyes were getting bad. You would say ok, tell me if there is a stop sign and tell me if the light is red. We made it everytime although it was a bit scary. I will treasure the memories that we have forever.

Holly & Daryl Burns

December 19, 2007

Jockey Joe was an important voice in our teen years in Cincinnati, OH. When we had the opportunity to meet him, he was the nicest guy with a great voice and a wonderful talent for turning a bus into a beautiful traveling home! Joe, you went through so much physical pain but kept that 'great guy' attitude. Thank you for the memories and the inspiration. You will be missed, but heaven is a better place!

Sandy Travis

December 19, 2007

In science class we learned that although energy can be altered in its state it can never be destroyed. Your abundance of energy means you will always be with us, JJ.
Miss ya guy.
"Fuzzy"

Maurice & Gloria Cole

December 16, 2007

We have been friends of Joe & Alice since living in Denver in the 80's. We have many wonderful stories. We are going to miss his humor and just the person he was.

Ken Conway

December 13, 2007

Jockey Joe, We spoke many times but I never did get to meet you in person. I worked for Ryder and you used to call to see if I could find you a truck to pull your 5th wheel. You sent me a bunch of tapes one year and a CD of Christmas tunes another year. I always enjoyed talking to you. You had a great zest for life despite your health issues. Rest in Peace and God Bless.

Bill Bradley

December 13, 2007

"Jockey Joe on the radio....56/KLZ"! I always remember Joe singing that song. My heart goes out to everyone in Joe's family. He made a big impact on me. I knew nothing about country music until KLZ swiched formats in 1978 and they told me that the new morning man would be arriving from Ohio over the weekend while I was on the air. Well he showed up alright - in this converted bus and came in to the studio to introduce himself. What a nice man, I thought to myself. No ego. Refreshing. "Well I'm going to go plug the bus in to one of the outlets behind the building" he said. And with that he did - and knocked both stations off the air! Joe's here. And that is how the next 8 years went while I was there. I had many laughs with Joe and the family that I will always remember. I wish you all well. Bill

Lori Miller

December 13, 2007

My Uncle Joey, what can I say. I loved him more than I can ever find words to express. I will cherish all of the time I had with him. I lived in Denver with him and Aunt Alice for a year way back in 1981-1982. Some of the best times of my life. I drove him to work sometimes in the morning and he would try to get me to talk on the radio, I didnt want to. I was afraid people would laugh at my souhtern accent. Well one morning we were just talking and he fliped the switch with out me knowing, and there I was on the Radio. My first and last time. He loved me and I loved him. He would always say "Walk in the Path God has chosen for you." I'm trying Uncle Joe. I am so sorry I was not able to come to Denver for his services. Aunt Alice, Joey, Julie,(and family's) I love you guys.

jennifer zercher

December 12, 2007

we send our love and blessings to all of the family! Love Jennifer, Matthew and Tanner

Gary Nakashima

December 12, 2007

My deepest sympathy to all of you. Though I only worked with Joe for about a year I do treasure the memories. He was the kindest person I ever met.
I do have 1 quick memory to share with you. Joe wanted to go to Wax Trax one day after work and he offered to buy me lunch. We were buying records for the station so we were able to charge them to the KYGO account. He then said let's go eat, I'm buying. At this point he pulled out his wallet and discovered he had no cash. I think we both ate at McDonalds for whatever we could buy with the $10 I had in my wallet.
He meant well but I gave him some serious grief for some time after that.

Sincerly,

Gary (Nakey) Nakashima

Dean Ortiz

December 12, 2007

A worth of a man is not in the wealth he accumulates, but in the memories of the people he has met through out his life. We have terrific moments with you, your music and your recordings. We will play your recordings and remember you forever. We will miss you very much Jocky Joe. Your friends, Dean & Chris

The Tapia Family

December 11, 2007

If tears could build a stairway, and
memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven, and bring you home again.

We love you Joe, you will surely be missed!

Pete, Jean, Danielle & Colton Tapia

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