Joseph Ray Everitt

Joseph Ray Everitt, 71, passed away on June 26, 2026, at his home in Junction City, Kansas. Joe was born on March 25, 1955 in Rockport, Texas and was the oldest of 12 brothers and two sisters. While growing up in Rockport, Joe spent most of his childhood shrimping with his dad and grandad, and eventually became captain of a Gulf shrimp boat and tugboat at 18 years old. In 1986, Joe and his daughter, Heather, moved to Junction City, Kansas, where Joe began working for Ernest and Spencer until he retired in 2005 as a superintendent. With retirement came the desire to return to his hometown of Rockport, Texas, where he longed to spend time with his three eldest children, Joe, Shea, and Jason. His passion for shrimping remained steady throughout his life and resulted in him working part-time at PJ’s Seafood Stand after returning to Rockport. Joe adored his job at the seafood stand, where he worked alongside his brother-in-law, but had to lay his passion to rest when he began having health issues in 2015. He remained in Rockport, spending much of his time with his children and grandchildren, before returning to Junction City, Kansas, to live on his daughter's property in August of 2025. Joe spent the last year of his life enjoying time with his daughter and grandchildren, tending to his beloved dogs and cats, and his son-in-law's chicken farm.

Joe is remembered as a hard-headed, strong, hilarious, and devoted man. In 1993, he experienced a terrible accident that crushed both of his feet and was told he would never walk again. As a testament to his strength and persistence, Joe walked again just a year later and continued making a living to provide for his family. He never failed to put a smile and giggle on his family's faces, all while making strangers look over with a confused glance. Above all else, Joe will be remembered as the extraordinary Papa Joe. There was no one and nothing he loved more than his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From the silly nicknames he gave each of them to the countless times he reminded them how proud he was and how much he loved them, his love for his family was unwavering. They were, without question, the greatest joy of his life.

Joe is survived by his children Heather (Jeremie) Myers, Shea (Casey) Todd, Jason (Karen) Farmer, Timmy (Leann) Johns, 14 immediate grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Irma Everitt, father John Everitt, sister Theresa Lieghton, brother Eddie Everitt, and son Joseph Ray Farmer.

We thank you all for taking the time to come out to celebrate and honor Joe’s life with our family. Most people would stand here and say, “so and so wouldn’t want us to cry over them”, but I think Joe earned every one of our tears. A man who spent his whole life outwardly loving and verbally celebrating others, deserves to be deeply mourned and forever celebrated.

Grandchildren: Justin (Brooklyn) Johns, Laurel (Daniel) Oquendo, Devon Johns, Vincentt (Elena) Akin, Alyssa (Tucker) Phillips, Whitney (Trevor) Erickson, Dawson Johns, Bummie Myers, Shawn Savant, J.R. Farmer, Faith Farmer, Jimmy Farmer, Starleen Myers, Colton Page

Great-Grandchildren: Rueben Myers, Sophia Oquendo, Kenny Myers, Daylyn Myers, Annlei Myers, Olivia Oquendo, Cohen Erickson, Amelia Phillips, Tripp Akin

… And many other individuals he considered children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, or family.