Joe Lawrence Aragon, 65, Fort Dodge, died Sunday, December 5, 2021, at the Fort Dodge Soldiers’ Home.
He was born September 10, 1956, in Rocky Ford, Colorado the son of Alberto and Eloiza (Sandoval) Aragon. In 1976, he graduated from Custer County High School with a 4.0 GPA. While in high schoo,l he excelled in football, basketball, and as a long-distance runner. On August 30, 2002, he was united in marriage to Inez Gutierrez in Liberal. They later divorced. He served in the U.S. Army and Kansas Army National Guard with the rank of Staff Sergeant, working as a supply specialist for 22 years. Joe was an avid Denver Broncos fan, loved fireworks and the Fourth of July, was a skilled woodworker, and was an exceptional handyman with repairs around the home. He possessed a deep love of his family and enjoyed time with them while cooking, fishing, camping, or at the park playing soccer and other sports.
Survivors include his five sons: Enrique Aragon of Hays, Derrick Aragon of Hays, Joe Aragon of Wichita, and Brandon Devon Mathis and Brooke Williams of Americas, GA, three daughters: Cassandra Aragon of Hays, Emilia Aragon of Pueblo, CO, and Elena Hayson of Pueblo, CO, a stepson: Estevan Gutierrez of Ohio, a brother: Frank Aragon of Commerce City, CO, four sisters: Clara Aragon of Glenwood Springs, CO, Gloria Aragon of Rocky Ford, CO, Sally Rodriguez and husband Ken and Beatrice Jones and husband DeShawn, all of Rocky Ford, CO, and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Margarito and Tom Aragon, and a sister: Linda Aragon.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 10, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Elias Chinzara officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, WaKeeney. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time with the recitation of the rosary at 9:30 am, all on Friday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the Center for Life Experiences, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Joe may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com