Ramon R. Vasquez passed away Thursday morning, July 16, 2015, after a lengthy battle with cancer, with family at his side. Even though he could not stand, he moved his legs and walked into heaven, greeted by a host of family and friends.
Visitation for the family will be from 6-8 PM on Friday, July 17, 2015 at Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
A Celebration Of Life Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Francis Njokou officiating and assisted by Deacon John Specht and Deacon Ray Nunez. Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.
Ramon was born March 29, 1929, in Santa Anna, Texas. The 2nd of 7 children to Venino Vasquez, Sr. and Elena Ruiz Vasquez. He learned to do many jobs as a young child and grew up working with his siblings at various places in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. He was a sheep shearer and worked with his Father and brother on many ranches in the area. He also helped some of the students get their animals ready for the Youth Fairs.
He enlisted in the Army and served as a Corporal, headquartered with the 298th AAA AW Battalion, from 1952-1954 with an Honorable Discharge. While serving, he was award the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal and others.
Raymond or R.R., as he was known to his railroad buddies, worked for the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Rail Road for over 35 years. He was a Trackman, Crain Operator and Track Supervisor all throughout the state of Texas.
December 29, 1956, Ramon married Amelia Rodriguez at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brownwood, Texas. A son and a daughter were born to this marriage. Ramon and Amelia celebrated their family, every occasion possible.
Ramon enjoyed dancing with his favorite partner, Amelia. Ramon had a God-given passion for music and played the guitar. He and Amelia sang hymns with their friends in the Spanish Choir of St. Mary’s, for over 20 years. Also with their church, Ramon was a member of the Knights Of Columbus, Member of the Guadalupe Society, had served as an Usher, Greeter, Eucharistic Minister and worked with his Brothers-in-law and some friends to maintain the church grounds, always done as a labor of love. Ramon helped to deliver Meals On Wheels and was always willing to help and he was an Assistant Scout Master with the Boys Scouts of America. He also took pride in taking care of his yard and was recognized with ‘Yard Of The Month’ by the Brownwood Garden Club.
Ramon is blessed with loving survivors, his wife of 58+ years, Amelia. Son, Richard and wife Patti of Enchanted Oaks, TX. Daughter, Kay and husband Oscar Martinez, of Brownwood. Grandchildren: Heidi and Dustin Young, Kristen Serrano, and Halley and Josh Coulter, along with Jennifer and Brad Bollinger, Michael and Vanessa Christy, Holly Christy and Becky Christy. Great-Grandchildren: Baylen and Bristol Young, Tristen, Gaven and Ethan Bollinger and Mason, Baylee and Michael Christy.
His siblings: Carmen Rendon and Juanita Diaz of Santa Anna, Lucy and Balentine Diaz of Coleman, Betty Rolfe and Venino, Jr. and Mary Vasquez of Santa Anna. Also, his Sister(s)-In-Law, Mary and Jessie Acuna, Alice and Pablo Villarreal of Brownwood and Olivia and Enrique Farias of Spring Branch along with Brother-In-Law, Domingo Garcia also of Brownwood. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and a wonderful Church family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Father and Mother-In-Law, Cresencio and Josefina Rodriguez, little brother Paul Vasquez, Great grandson Coen Young, Brothers-In-Law and a Sister-In-Law and some nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and family that brought food for the family, Mike Cloy, P.A. and staff, Dr. Alan Cass and staff, Dr. Victor Hirsch and staff and the friends he made at the Walker Cancer Center. And the caring people of CMS Health Care, Gentiva Hospice, Care Nursing, and Davis Morris Funeral Home. Their compassion for Ramon and his family was heart-felt throughout his care.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations/memorials be made to:
The Walker Cancer Center Patient Fund
1501 Burnett Drive
Brownwood TX 76801
Arrangements under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home, Brownwood, TX.
