Obituary of Raymond Rodriguez Ramirez

Our Beloved Raymond Rodriguez Ramirez, age 88, of Austin, Texas, was called by our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his parents Benito Ramirez and Elena Rodriguez Ramirez and his sister Maria Ramirez Hernandez.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years Sally Torres Ramirez; son Raymond Jr.; daughters Debbie (David Mendoza) Garza, Rita (Mike) Cunningham and Eva (Tom) Tatum; sister Tomasa Ramirez Mendoza; grandchildren Robert Ray Vasquez, Amanda Garza, Rosalinda Vasquez, and Marissa Cunningham; great grandchildren Gabriella and Isaiah Gomez and Bella Hudgins; and numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family and friends. Raymond is also survived by the mother of his children, Mary Mendez Ramirez.

Raymond Ramirez was an excellent provider to his family.  Although he had a modest education, he excelled as a mechanic and later in life as a business owner.  In an area of Austin where there were only a handful of Hispanic owned businesses, he owned and operated Phillips 66 and Texaco gasoline stations in the South Congress neighborhood. 

Raymond was quick to recognize talent and often provided jobs for many young men in the area as they were growing up, taking the time to teach them the mechanics trade.

Raymond also had a soft spot for the kids in his neighborhood.  He was a regular sponsor for several South Austin Youth Baseball teams. It was also not unusual on a Saturday afternoon to find kids from Fulmore Middle and Travis High Schools at his station putting on a car wash or some activity to support the school or the Rebelettes and Cheerleaders.

Raymond was especially close to his son-in-law Tom Tatum who assisted his daughter Eva in providing care. Eva would like to give a heartfelt thanks to her employer Teacher Retirement System and those that contributed in so many ways, which allowed her to see to the needs of her father. A special thank you also to his care giver, Michelle Olvera for taking such good care of him, to his nephew Ralph Mendoza for going and visiting with him every day; Heart to Heart Hospice; and Southpark Meadows Nursing and Rehab and Staff.

Pallbearers will be: Shane Laguna, Inez Hernandez Jr., Alex Rocha, Albert Ramirez, Louie Rodriguez, and Mingo Rodriguez. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Tatum, Robert Ray Vasquez, and Raymond Ramirez Jr.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. with Recitation of Holy Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 27, 2017  at Mission Funeral Home – South Side, 6204 S. First St., Austin, Texas.   Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 28, 2017 at San Jose Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.

Please visit www.missionmemorials.com to order flowers and offer condolences to the family.