NEWTON, N.C. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Joe D. Ramseur, a native North Carolinian, passed away at age 94 on October 2, 2024, at Abernethy Laurels in Newton.

Joe, a 24-year Marine veteran, accomplished carpenter and extensive traveler to all 50 states with his wife of 71 years, was born in Hickory to Henry and Lois Herman Ramseur. He was raised in Newton and married his high school sweetheart from Conover, Susan Stearns Ramseur, on June 7, 1953, who remains at Abernethy.

Joe, a Yoder family descendent, is survived by their two children, David Stearns Ramseur, (Susan Wibker) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Susan E. Ramseur of Newland, N.C. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kevin Johnson (Aby) and Erin Johnson; sister-in-law Jane Stearns; nieces Mary Canrobert (Mark) and Amy McGhinnis and nephew Nick Stearns; and cousin Catherine Turbyfill of Brevard.

Joe enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1948 and was trained as an infantry weapons armorer. He was promoted through the ranks to Gunnery Sergeant, retiring as a mustang Captain. He served at numerous Marine installations including Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms, Calif.; Guam Marianas; Okinawa, Tokyo and Yokuska Japan; Las Vegas and Columbia, Pa. Susan supported his military career and raised their family, working as an elementary school teacher.

Following Joe’s retirement in 1971, he furthered his education at Appalachian State University, earning a master’s in 1981. He taught blueprint design and carpentry at Caldwell Community College. Joe designed and constructed their home of 50+ years in the North Carolina mountains and built much of the furniture his family enjoyed. Joe and Susan traveled the country in their various Airstream recreational vehicles for 20 years, visiting all 50 states from the Arctic

Circle in Alaska to Key West and reliving American history. For much of the past 20 years, they enjoyed the warm Florida winter weather at a second home on the Space Coast.

Joe was a 52-year member of Newland Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. He was a lifetime member of the Retired Military Officers Association of America, Marine Corps Mustang Association, American Legion and Lions Club.

A memorial service with military honors to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at a later date at Newland Presbyterian Church in Newland, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Newland Presbyterian Church (Box 579, Newland 28657) for hurricane relief to benefit the mountain communities he loved.

Condolences may be sent to the Ramseur family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, N.C. is serving the Ramseur family.