1947-2024
Ramon “Jimmy” James Tapia, 77, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024 at his home, surrounded by his family.
The rosary will be prayed at 9:30 A.M. with the funeral mass following at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Holy Name Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, donations may be left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home.
Jimmy was born on October 8, 1947, in Winfield, KS to parents Toribio J. and Margarita (Barron) Tapia. He attended Winfield High School before being drafted into the USMC. While in Vietnam he stepped on a landmine and was honorably discharged due to his injuries. He worked in the oil fields, at Rubbermaid, as a police reserve officer in Winfield and Arkansas City, but his main job was at the Kansas Veterans Home as a custodian. Jimmy was united in marriage to Aletha Kay Sweet in 1971, the couple later divorced. Jimmy enjoyed cutting grass for his neighbors, fishing with his nephews, watching Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers football, and traveling to see nature and war memorials. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion and Holy Name Catholic Church.
Ramon is survived by his sisters Guadalupe Underkofler of Evanston, WY; Maria J. Chavez and husband Lawrence of Natrona Heights, PA; Elisha J. DeLozier and husband Joe of Winfield; her brothers Antonio P. Tapia and wife Guadalupe of Winfield; John J. Tapia of Winfield; Alfredo Tapia of Winfield; and Eduardo I. Tapia of Winfield who he lived with; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents and numerous siblings.
