Joe Ayala, Jr. 88, of Wichita, KS, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025. Joe was born in Wichita on September 7, 1936. He had 19 siblings and was the 2nd oldest born to Jose Ayala and Petra (Gutierrez) Ayala of Mexico and Hutchinson, KS respectively. The family were parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wichita. Joe attended Wichita East HS and graduated from Wichita West High School in 1954 where he was a member of the wrestling team. Joe enrolled in the Engineering program at Wichita State University and graduated in 1959 with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. While attending WSU, he met his future wife, Lula. They were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe December 28, 1957. Joe began his engineering career at Boeing in 1959 and retired in 1995. He worked a number of programs at Boeing including, Air Force One and the A-6 Replacement Wing as well as classified programs. In the 1980’s, Joe was chosen as one of a select team of engineers to work a proprietary project. He was selected for his honest work of the highest quality, personal integrity, technical acumen and a teammate with a steady hand and cool head. This was the core of Joe, a intelligent, decent and kind. Other systems engineers appreciated the opportunity to work with Joe. A co-worker wrote “Put all the performance and verification matrices, and external loads and stress reports, and interface change memoranda to the side, I saw Joe, in and out of work, from the early 80’s to the late 90’s, and he always looked damn good, with a big, photogenic smile! And he never changed! How did he do that? I don’t know. But this will be my lasting memory of Joe Ayala.” Joe’s hobbies were playing bridge with friends and coaching kid’s football at Church of the Magdalen. He refinished furniture occasionally creating family heirlooms. In 1962, Joe was granted guardianship of seven of his siblings which he raised to adulthood and who later went on to have successful careers. He spent time taking their young children to the Bergmann Orchards in South Wichita in the summers picking fruit for Lu to make jams, jellies and pies for the family and friends to enjoy. From 1982-2003, Joe managed the Wichita Wrestling Club for kids (WWC). The program still runs strong today. Joe assisted with the high school program at Kapaun Mt. Carmel and ran District 2 for many years. In 2015, Joe received THE LIFETIME SERVICE TO WRESTLING AWARD and was inducted into the Kansas State Wrestling Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport over decades. Joe was a dedicated family man and friend. He was always generous with his time and helping others. He enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends. Whether it was an occasional barbecue or a large feast, he was in his element while cooking and bringing people together. Cooking for Joe could also become competitive since he had a very competitive nature. It would always make him smile when he was able to claim the best dish! Lucky family members are now able to share and enjoy preparing Joe’s delicious and appetizing recipes. Joe was one of the best! He leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity and love which will live on through his family. He will be sorely missed but will be remembered fondly and lovingly by all who knew him.

Preceded in death by his parents, Jose Ayala and Petra Ayala and deceased babies: Fidel, Amparo Maria Elida, Jaime, Sergio Esteban. Deceased adult siblings: Vidal, Grace, Helen, Ninfa, Abelardo (Larry), Armando, Hector Jaime, Mario and Joe’s adult daughter, Michelle (Shelly) Wheeler of Mulvane, KS.Surviving adult siblings: Mary Elida Blades, Sergio, Danny, Joel, Israel, Carla Ayala and Abigail Landes. Joe’s surviving children: David of Wichita, Vanessa Baker of Cedar Vale, KS, Monty Ayala of Wichita, Angela Channel of Andover, KS, and Jason Ayala of Wichita, 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be from 2:30 – 4:00 pm, Thursday, June 19, 2025, and will begin at 9:00 am, Friday, June 20, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Rosary will be at 7:00 pm, Friday, June 20, 205, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Church of the Magdalen.
Memorials have been established with Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, Wrestling Program, 8506 E. Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67206; Wichita Wrestling Club, Kids Program, 2501 N. Rosemont St., Wichita, KS 67228; Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church, 12626 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67206.