Guadalupe "Lupe" Ramirez
July 10, 1939 – September 30, 2025
On September 30, 2025, the Houston glass industry lost one of its most dedicated craftsman and leader, Guadalupe “Lupe” Ramirez. Know for his hard work, integrity, and vision, Lupe helped shape the local glass community through his life’s work at Lone Star Glass, the company he cofounded with his longtime partner and friend, Joe D. Creswell.
Lupe and Joe first crossed paths in 1965 while working at National Glass. Lupe began as an installer, quickly earning a reputation for his skill and leadership, eventually becoming the company’s lead supervisor. Joe, meanwhile, worked in the Auto glass side and started doing sales, which he excelled in, becoming National Glass’ top salesman. Both men thrived in their respective roles, but they also shared a drive to do more. When circumstances made it clear they had reached the limits of what they could achieve at National glass, they knew it was time to strike out on their own.
Pooling together their savings, talents and determination, Lupe and Joe then founded Lone Star Glass. Their first store opened in 1973, on Bissonnet St next door to Cleburne’s Cafeteria and then in 1976 they purchased a shop, which remains the company’s main office, at 3804 Bissonnet St. Together they built something greater than either could have achieved alone. Joe continued to excel in sales, cultivating relationships across Houston, while Lupe established and trained the installation teams, setting a standard for quality and professionalism. Both were natural salesmen in their own right, selling not just glass but trust, reliability and service.
Their partnership flourished, and Lone Star Glass grew to four Houston locations, as well as a store in El Campo, Texas. For decades Lupe and Joe remained side by side as business partners, colleagues and friends. In 2005 their formal partnership ended, though the legacy they built together continued. Lupe carried Lone Star Glass forward until 2015, when he proudly passed the business on to his three sons, ensuring the company he poured his life into remains a family endeavor.
Lupe Ramirez will be deeply missed – not only by his family and friends but by the many colleagues across Houston who knew him as a craftsman, mentor and man of his word. His legacy lives on in Lone Star Glass, a company built on hard work, partnership and a belief that glass is more than a trade - it’s a craft that connects people and communities.