Joe “Kookie” Ramirez Morales of Dudleyville, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at the age of 77.
Kookie was born in Ray, Arizona to Joe and Rita Morales on Aug. 5, 1942. He graduated from Hayden High School in 1960 then attended EAC in Thatcher. He was drafted into the Army in 1964 but was unable to serve due to a shooting accident which lead him to lose his right eye. In June 1966, he completed a vocational course at Phoenix Union School for a Machinist. He was then employed by Kennecott, which later became ASARCO. He worked for 38 years as a Filter Plant Operator at the Hayden Concentrator. Along with his hard work, he also volunteered as a firefighter for Dudleyville Fire Department for many years.
On Nov. 26, 1966 Kookie married the love of his life, Jennie Aguirre. They were together for 50 years. They had three children for whom he would do absolutely anything. He was a family man. Kookie enjoyed many vacations and outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, jeep rides, picnics and more. He loved being active and the outdoors. He also enjoyed drawing cartoons of real-life family and everyday life adventures. His cartoons will forever entertain his children grandchildren, family and friends.
Kookie was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Rita Morales; his father-in-law, Alfredo Aguirre; and his loving wife, Jennie. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara (Martin) Peraza; sons, Joe (Patricia) and Michael (Felicia) Morales; his grandchildren, Christopher, Patrick, Antonio (Eleni), Giovanni, Daniella, Brina and Joseph; and his great-grandchildren, LeiAnna, Angelina and Emilio. He is also survived by his Tia Romula Placencia; his brothers, Felix (Olivia) and Bobby; and sisters, Evie Estrada, Carol Burnam and Rosalie, as well as several nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
He was a very kind and special man who will be missed and remembered by many.
Services for Joe will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hayden, AZ. Rosary will begin at 9 a.m. followed by reading of the eulogy at 9:30 a.m. and the Memorial Mass at 10 a.m.