Jose Lazo Obituary

REV. JOSE JOE JARAMILLO LAZO Rev. Jose "Joe" Jaramillo Lazo reunited with the Lord on July 2, 2025, after 92 years of hard work, advocacy, and service. Born on March 17, 1933, in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was the eldest of nine children of Serafin Lazo and Teofila Jaramillo. He graduated from Baptist Bible Seminary in Manila in 1953. It was there that he met the woman who would become his wife of nearly 70 years until her passing in 2023, Faustina "Tina" Ibalio Ignacio. They married on October 12, 1953. Joe and Tina had five children - Sharon (Don) Nakamoto, Sonny (Robin), Joel, Sr. (Javic), Beth (Juan) Garza, and Joyce (Mark) Mickelson. They had nine grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Joe was called to be a pastor. He earned a Master's degree in Biblical Education from Baptist Bible Seminary in Denver. He served at churches in the Philippines and the U.S., including San Vicente Bible Church, Kalihi Baptist Church, and Olivet Baptist Church - where he pioneered the Filipino Baptist Ministry. Joe moved from the Philippines to the U.S. in 1963 to create a better life for his family. He eventually settled in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1966. His family reunited with him in 1968. It was in Honolulu where Joe (fondly known as "Tata Joe") became a leader, advocate, and voice for the Filipino community. He helped organize the Filipino Cultural Foundation of Hawaii and had a radio program for decades, which he used to help the Sakadas. In the 1970s, he was the first person to embark on a personal mission to reunite elderly and sick Filipinos in Honolulu with their families in the Philippines, with whom they had lost contact. Joe also served as president of the Friends of Marcos. He advocated for the Marcoses and made sure they were taken care of while they were in Hawaii. Because of Joe's influence in the Filipino community of Hawaii, he worked closely with politicians from the federal to the city level. He campaigned for President George H.W. Bush, as well as Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Ben Cayetano, Governor George Ariyoshi, and Governor David Ige. Joe's legacy in the community is seen in narra trees he donated in the early 1970s - they are still standing strong at Farrington High School. Viewing will be held on Saturday, August 2 at Valley of the Temples Main Chapel from 4 to 5 PM, followed by Celebration of Life from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Visitation and burial service will be held on Sunday, August 3 at Valley of the Temples Main Chapel from 10 AM to 2 PM. Aloha attire. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary