The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Joe Ed Ezell, 81, entered into eternal life on November 20, 2017 at Heritage Health Center.
His beloved wife Dora of Forty-eight years was at his side along with, as he called us (his adopted kids) Larry Madrid and Linda Noriega and Leah Willis. Joe Ed and Dora were married on December 26, 1969.
Joe Ed was born in Sulphur Oklahoma on June 10, 1936. At a young age, Joe Ed moved to Arizona with his family. He attended elementary, middle and high school in Miami. He played football for Miami High, graduating in 1954.
After graduating high school, he attended General Motors College, where he received his diploma in 1956. Joe Ed worked for his fathers’ automobile dealership in Miami until 1958. He then went to work for the State of Arizona highway department as a surveyor until 1964. He also worked for Magma Copper Company for thirty years where he retired.
Joe Ed grew up around car racing. His Dad raced midget cars across the southwest and Joe was right by his side. Later Joe Ed had his own race car which he raced at the tracks in Globe-Miami, Phoenix and Tucson. He enjoyed watching racing on T.V.; he went to Phoenix International Raceway to watch the NASCAR races when possible, and he even traveled several times to Indianapolis just to watch the INDY 500.
Joe Ed loved to travel with Dora to different places in the United States, be it on their motorcycle or in the car. He always took pictures of the places they had visited on their trips. Joe Ed also enjoyed being out on the lake on their boat. He especially enjoyed teaching the neighborhood kids how to water ski.
Joe Ed was a member of the Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge 2809, Gold Wing Motorcycle Association. And the Gila Racing Association, and he was part of the Class of 1954 Miami High School Committee and the Multi-Class Reunion Committee.
Joe Ed was precedded in death by father Lloyd Ezell, Mother Kathleen Ezell and Brother Terry Ezell. He is survived by his wife Dora Ezell, son Mike and daughter Robin Slate, and four grandchildren.
Services will be private at later date.
