Roll Call Tribute

Published in The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic on July 20, 2014

Jose Ricardo Ramirez
Ramirez, Jose Ricardo
84, of Ahwatukee passed away on July 11, 2014. Jose Ramirez believed education went beyond the classroom to living life - experiences & people made it amazing! Jose was born to Jose & Cruz on Nov. 27, 1929 in Cotulla, TX. Though not educated themselves, his parents knew their sons' success required it. Jose attended Welhausen Elementary School, followed by Amanda Burks Junior High where he grew academically in math & English. While attending Cotulla High School, he was a member of the Quill & Scroll Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, the school newspaper & was a Student Council representative. As a true Texan, Jose played football, lettering two years & was co-captain his senior year. Jose excelled in all his classes becoming Cotulla High's first Mexican valedictorian in 1946. Jose attended Tarleton State Univ. in Stephenville, TX. Involved in ROTC, Jose spent 4 years in the Navy to further his education in electronics -- a life changing experience. The Navy provided the opportunity to travel to Hawaii, Alaska & Japan as well as make lasting friendships with fellow servicemen: CD Miller, Robert Gaulke, Robert Nelson, Tom Foerch, Freddy Musgrove, Hugh Roscoe Herrick, Paul Holm, Gary Bowers, Charles Pomeroy, J.B. Manning, Bill Mondy & Leroy "Red" Engle. After the Navy, Jose graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Mathematics & minor in Education. On August 9, 1959, he married Sylvia Ramirez of Cotulla, TX. The newlyweds moved to Amarillo where Jose was as a math analyst for Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason Inc.(managed by Pantex Ordinance plant for the Atomic Energy Commission). Their family grew with the birth of Anna Rene, Jose Ricardo & Patricia. His friend C.C. Bain encouraged him to apply at the Computer Department at GE, where he was offered a job on January 27, 1964. Like his parents, Jose instilled in his children the importance of an education, hard work & the importance of family. Once a year, Jose packed up his family to visit their Texas relatives. Road trips were an event, traveling in a station wagon, eating picnic lunches at road stops, playing games, & listening to Jose's mariachi music. Jose & Sylvia were active participants in the kid's school activities to assure their children that their family was behind them, supporting & cheering them on. After 26 years at GE (aka, Honeywell, Honeywell Bull, & NEC), Jose retired at 61 to Ahwatukee. Jose walked three miles & completed at least one crossword puzzle a day (in ink, with no errors) & spoiled Sylvia with road trips to Las Vegas! They volunteered, preparing taxes for those less fortunate & tutored children in math in Guadalupe, AZ. Jose didn't want children to be intimidated by math, showing them math was fun, by applying basic math concepts to games, demonstrating daily math use in their lives & how math logic skill teach problem solving. He loved tutoring & his students loved having one of their own as their teacher. Jose walked Patricia down the aisle on March 17, 1990 to marry, her love, Glenn Keough. He adored his precious granddaughter, Tessa Rene born on May 30, 1996. He was proud to see her graduate from Xavier College Prep with honors & to know she would attend NYU this fall. Jose was preceded in death by his sister Rene, his mother, Cruz, his brother & best friend Denicio, & his dad, Jose. In 2002, Jose & Sylvia faced the unexpected death of their son Jose Ricardo. Heartbreaking as their deaths are, Jose would say death is part of life. Cherish the memories & remember the lessons each person has taught. Jose passed peacefully at Hospice Dobson House in Chandler of natural causes. Sylvia was by his side as she had been for over 54 years, along with his daughter Patricia. Jose is survived by his wife, Sylvia, daughters, Anna Rene (Austin, TX), & Patricia, son-in-law Glenn & granddaughter Tessa Keough, (Phoenix, AZ). His memorial service will be Saturday July 26 at 10:00am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 3550 E. Knox Road, Phoenix, AZ 85044 with a reception in the church hall to follow. Contributions are welcome at Hospice of the Valley or the American Diabetes Foundation.