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Miguel Ramirez

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RAMIREZ

Rev. Miguel C. (Luna) Ramirez, San Antonio, Texas

Rev. Miguel C. (Luna) Ramirez, 96, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2014 in his most recent home as a resident of the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. His wife, Raquel De Leon Ramirez predeceased him in 1997. He was born in Brownsville, Texas on August 15, 1917 to Apolonia Cruz and Cristobal Ramirez. Several years after returning from service in World War II and while residing in San Antonio, Texas, God called Miguel Ramirez to become a pastor on June 2, 1957. As such, he became a member of La Trinidad United Methodist Church of the Rio Grande Conference and attended Perkins School of Theology, at Southern Methodist University. He completed his course of studies to become a minister in the United Methodist Church and served 24 years of active service in pastoral charges in the Rio Grande Conference which included: Kenedy-Beeville, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, Floydada-Lockney, TX, Tucumcari, NM, Snyder-Colorado City, TX, Ballinger, TX, Pearsall, TX, and lastly in Rio Grande City, TX. Prior to becoming a minister, he was known as a master chef for major hotels in San Antonio. His early years as a pastor are chronicled in the book Spanish Doorways. Additionally, his work as a pioneer in the Kindergarten/Pre-School programs in South Texas is recorded in the Methodist Board of Missions' documentary, "The Measure of Success." This preschool/headstart concept was later adopted initially by the Texas public school systems and other states to meet the needs of Hispanic-American children. Rev. Ramirez retired from the Rio Grande Conference in 1982. As a retired pastor, he ably supported the San Pablo UMC, and would assist pastors from various other denominations as needed in Carrizo Springs, Dilley, Big Well, Derby, and in the two local nursing homes in Pearsall. Additionally, he provided a weekly Spanish hour radio program which broadcast to the Winter garden area of South Texas, and for a year he broadcast live from San Pablo United Methodist Church, during the Sunday night services. As a pastor he guided his ministry by the words, Christ told Peter, "Do you Love me?..."Then Feed my sheep."During his retirement years in New York, he was a guest preacher at Easton United Methodist Church, North Cambridge (The Stump) United Methodist, and Centenary United Methodist in Greenwich, NY. He was also a guest preacher in Manchester, VT. He spent his retirement years ministering to those in nursing homes. He loved to sing solos in church, travel all over the USA and Mexico, was an avid gardener, and had a zest for life. At the age of 94 he was still riding four wheelers, planting roses, snow blowing, and participating in veterans' day parades. He is survived by his daughters: Maxine Serda of Lozano, TX, Dolores Gutierrez of Los Olmos, and Linda Kirk of Greenwich, NY, sons: Michael Ramirez of Albany, NY; Samuel Ramirez of Corpus Christi, TX; George Ramirez of Albany, NY; Leo Alan Ramirez of Pearsall, TX; and Rev. Abraham I. Ramirez, of San Antonio, TX. During his pastorate in Pearsall, and upon the death of the widow of Rev. Viera, he sought and became the legal guardian for the Viera's orphaned downs-syndrome son, Alfredo Viera. Rev. Ramirez has 22 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren. He has two sisters, Evangelina Quiroz from Florida, Reyes Guzman from Garland, TX and a brother Faustino Ramirez who resides in Brownsville, TX. His brothers Baldomero and Antonio Ramirez predeceased him in death, as well as his sister Petra Garza. Rev. Ramirez was an honorably discharged and decorated veteran of World War II, and belonged to the VFW Post 8936 in San Antonio, and the American Post #2 in San Antonio, and was life member of VFW Post 7291, and the American Legion Post 515 of Greenwich, NY. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday, March 10, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at La Trinidad United Methodist Church.
PRAYER SERVICE
SUNDAY
MARCH 9, 2014
7:00 P.M.
LA TRINIDAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
300 SAN FERNANDO

FUNERAL SERVICE
MONDAY
MARCH 10, 2014
11:00 A.M.
LA TRINIDAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
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Published in Express-News on Mar. 7, 2014
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