Joseph Plummer

Joseph (Joe) Plummer

December 9, 1937 - June 28, 2024

Joseph (Joe) Wayne Plummer (Jr) passed away on June 28th, 2024 after 86 years full of life and love. Born on December 9, 1937 in Crecent City California to Pauline McDaniel-Plummer and Joseph Wayne Plummer, about 4 years later, the family moved to San Luis Obispo after the Japanese Forces off the coast firebombed their ranch in Oregon.

Joe attended San Luis Obispo High where he was involved in many clubs, sports and ROTC; all while he worked at a neighborhood grocery store. After High School he joined the US Army Reserves and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying mathematics and statistics. After working in the grocery store for a number of years he decided to end his studies and became a partner in Ellsworths Market in San Luis Obispo. While serving in the Army Reserves from 1956-1963, he obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as the units Clerk (he said it was because he was the only one who could type).

As a young man, when he was not working, his time was spent working on hot rods, drag racing and water skiing. His career in the Grocery Business took him to Santa Barbara and Lompoc to manage Jordano's Grocery Stores and once settled in Lompoc for good, he saw the grocery store change hands a number of times before retiring at the age of 56.

His love for the outdoors shone through in his garden and nationally recognized roses, to teaching his kids and their friends the fine art of camping.

Joe was a loving husband and father who was always at his kids' sporting events and other activities; from serving on the PTA at the schools to the Board of Directors for the local food pantry. He shared his love and time not only with his family, but with the families of the Lompoc community; he was always there, willing to give and help those in need. He was a quiet, humble yet firm man who wanted nothing more that to see the joy in others successes. His family was his greatest accomplishment, in his words... "see this? I did this!"

Joe is preceded in death by his wives Marilyn Pospisil Plummer and Kati Smith, his younger sister Margorie Kinsey and brother in-law Bill Kinsey, and son in-laws Steve Andrew and Gib Anderson.

He is survived by his children Julie Anderson (Gib), Laurie Manley, Taffy Ellis (Brad), Leonard Simmons, Taune Andrew (Steve), and Joseph Wayne Plummer III (JoAnne) as well as six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all which he loved beyond explanation.

At Joe's request there will be no services.