- Date Of Birth: March 1, 1937
- Date Of Death: April 13, 2021
- State: Arizona
Joseph “Joe” Lamas passed away on April 13, 2021 in Yuma, Arizona after a short illness. He was
84 years old.
Joe was born in Eastland, Texas in 1937 to parents Melicio and Felipa Lamas. He joined older
sisters Gloria, Esther, Eva and Irene and was followed by younger brother Bobby. The family
moved from Texas to Michigan in 1941 and then to Oxnard, California in 1945. He entered the
Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served for 3 years before returning to Oxnard to marry his
high school sweetheart, Peggy, in 1956. He graduated from San Jose State in 1961 with a BS in
Business and Industrial Management. Joe and Peggy returned to Oxnard where they raised
their 6 children until they moved to Yuma, Arizona in 1989. Joe worked at Olga
Company/Warnaco for the entirety of his career before retiring in 2001. In his retirement, Joe
cared for an ailing Peggy until her death in 2012. In his later years, Joe enjoyed traveling to
family functions, casino nights, movies and conversations with family and friends.
Joe will be remembered for his handsome and infectious “Grampa Joe” smile, his tireless work
ethic, devotion to his family, strength of character and love of a good party.
Joe is survived his children Wayne Lamas (Mary), Mary Hollis (Mitch), John Lamas, Roberta
Becker (Ron), Theresa Hart (Tony), and Rebecca Hargadine; 14 grandchildren, 7 great-
grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56
years Peggy, his parents and siblings.
