JOSE EDMUNDO “ED” RAMIREZ

August 13, 1927-November 22, 2024

Ed Ramirez, 97, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 22, 2024. He was a loving and caring husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He touched countless lives and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Candelario Ramirez and, Isaura Elizondo Ramirez. He was orphaned when he was fourteen years old and raised by his siblings. He was also preceded in death by his siblings: Graciela Ramirez, Dr. Irene Ramirez, Candelario Hector (Rosa Maria+), Fausto (Edmida) of Del Rio, and Gilberto of San Antonio. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Aurora Garcia Ramirez, sons: Ed Ramirez Jr. (Adriana), and Justo(Gretchen Dittmer), grandchildren: Edmundo Lorenzo and Sofia Cristina Ramirez

Ed was a proud descendant of Jose Cristobal Ramirez and Matiana Hinojosa Ramirez, who were among the founders of Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He graduated from Martin High School in 1946 and worked at the family’s cattle operation as a cowboy and clerked at the family’s Dry Goods Store downtown. He later purchased a gas station and started to sell used cars on the side. He came to realize that he was making money on the cars but was losing it on the station. He was drafted in 1950 to serve in the Korean Conflict and sold the station. He did his Army boot camp at Fort Bliss in El Paso and was rated as a marksman and expert mechanic and then was sent to Japan. Days before he was to join the Infantry in Korea, he received orders to stay in Japan to oversee an assembly line of Japanese workers repairing Army vehicles. He always considered that as Divine Intervention. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was offered Officer Training School if he would re-enlist. He passed on that opportunity because he had already made plans to start a used car dealership with his brother C.H. That partnership, “Ed Ramirez Motor Sales” lasted from 1952 to 1982 closing months before the big Peso devaluation.

Ed started dabbling in Real Estate since buying his first rent house in 1968. By the time that he closed Ed Ramirez Motor Sales it was an easy transition to go full time into real estate investment.  He ran Ed Ramirez Land investments until his death

He and Aurora were fortunate to have been able to visit many different countries traveling with friends.

He loved his ranches and would visit them every weekend. He got a sense of peace being out in nature.

Among some of his contributions to the community through the years, he served as Post Commander of the American Legion, a member of the Board of Trustees of Holding Institute and was very active in the Del Mar Betterment League in the years before Del Mar was annexed by the City. He served in many capacities helping Holy Redeemer Parish before he moved to Del Mar. At St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, he served as a Member of the Men’s Club, Parish Council, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, and was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. For years, he provided Bibles to every High School graduate in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. He was a proud member of the Laredo Rotary Club and retired from the Club in 2020 with 38 years of perfect attendance and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ildefonso Flores and Melissa Cigarroa of Superior Nursing Care for all that they did for him during his final weeks. Also great thanks to his primary caregivers: Marcelina Hernandez and Francis Sosa and his driver, Gerry Manzo.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to the Sacred Heart Children’s Home located at 3310 S. Zapata Highway Laredo, Texas 78046. Donation link can be found on Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services website.

Pallbearers will be: Edmundo L Ramirez, Hector C Ramirez, Daniel Ramirez, David Rountree, David Ramirez, and Juan Jose Garcia

The Ramirez family will be receiving guests on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services beginning at 8:00 am. A Holy rosary will be prayed at 10:00 am. Funeral procession will follow to St. Patrick Catholic Church, where a mass will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will follow to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 59.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com

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