Juvencio “Juby” Ramirez, 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. Juby was born in Lordsburg, New Mexico on September 21, 1951, to Juanita Chavez and Miguel Ramirez, and graduated from Lordsburg High School in 1972. 

While in high school, Juby held several jobs at the local gas stations working as a gas attendant and servicing vehicles. Wherever there was a vehicle that needed work, you did not need to look very far to find him – under the hood or underneath the vehicle. And thus began his career in the field of auto mechanics. 

Juby served in the National Guard in 1973 and then went active in the Army in 1984 until his retirement in 1999. For over nine years, he was employed by Phelps-Dodge in Tyrone as a mechanic and then worked with James Hamilton Construction. Juby moved to Bernalillo, New Mexico and was employed by the New Mexico Public School District until he retired. 

He worked in various capacities throughout his life including a plumber’s assistant, school bus driver, heavy equipment mechanic, machinist, wheel vehicle mechanic, light generator repairman, to name a few.  He also worked in a supervisory role at times supervising several maintenance employees. Juby took his jobs seriously and was always eager to learn more.  He excelled in auto mechanics and had the hands to show it. He was an expert in his field and liked to teach others the skill. He continued his studies attending various workshops in management, maintenance, and supply management. He was also awarded numerous commendations while in the Army including Army Achievement Medal, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, National Defense Service Medal, to name a few. 

Juby was very meticulous and organized in both his career and at home (a quality rarely found in most). Borrowing anything from his personal tool storage or at work required a thorough interrogation by Juby needing to know what you intended to do with the tool, knowing how to use it and for how long you needed them. Even during his tenure with the National Guard, when he was in supply management, he made sure tools or parts needed were not released without a rigorous interrogation. 

Juby was a silent, strong, smart, humble, caring man. He carried his heart on his sleeve and would do anything for family and friends, helping others with projects around the house, with their cars, a tow, delivering materials, etc.; most often family and friends would come to him for his expertise, advice, and help. After his retirement, Juby returned to Lordsburg to be near his family. In his early days he was so protective of his younger brother Tony, “he’s not heavy, he’s my brother”; always watching out for him. You could find him at family functions quietly standing in the background and enjoying the family fun. In his youth, he was always eager to play games, especially Monopoly, but only if played his way. He had a sense of humor and liked joking around. He had a laugh that would make you smile. Juby faced many challenges throughout his life but never gave up. He was a man of few words and never boasted about himself, his life, or his career. He was a simple man who enjoyed taking long walks, working with his hands, working in his yard, organizing his tools, and shed, and visiting with his brothers and sisters. He loved his family, was a good friend to many and well-liked. He will be dearly missed.

Juby is preceded in death by his parents Juanita and Miguel Ramirez; brothers Manuel and Antonio (Tony) Ramirez; sisters Sara Elias, Helen Keas, and Raquel Ramirez. He is survived by his brothers Alfred (Rosie), Mario (Dorothy), Miguel and Rudolfo; a sister Jesusita (Tillie) Alvarez, Uncle Don Estrada, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, and great nephews, too numerous to count.  

Rosary and visitation for Juby will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Lordsburg, New Mexico beginning with the viewing from 9 to 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. with the celebration of the funeral mass to follow immediately at 10:00 a.m. with the rite of committal and interment concluding at Shakespeare Cemetery where Juby will be resting with those he loved. Services will be officiated by Fr. Jude Okonkwo. Full Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army. A celebration of Juby’s life will follow the burial services at the Elks Lodge in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Serving as pallbearers will be nephews Michael and Martin Elias, Daniel Joseph Ramirez, Jaime and Gabriel Alvarez, and great nephews Andrew Gutierrez and Javier Saenz. Honorary pallbearers are his brothers Alfred (Fred), Mario, Miguel (Poli), Rudolfo (Rudy) and sister Jesusita (Tillie) Alvarez. 

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