Ramsey Essa Mahmoud

Ramsey Essa Mahmoud Apr. 21, 1980 - Aug. 22, 2009 Ramsey will be remembered as a caring son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his mother, Jane Mahmoud; step-father, Harold Baker; brother, Basil Mahmoud; sister-in-law, Kelly Mahmoud; nieces, Madeleine and Charlotte Mahmoud; and cousin, Bassam Mahmoud; all of Austin. In addition, he is survived by numerous family members, both in the U.S. and abroad. His beloved dog, a black lab named Pancho, was with Ramsey at the time of his death. He is predeceased by his loving and devoted father, Issa Mahmoud. A native Austinite, Ramsey loved his family and was proud of his heritage. He never missed the opportunity to spend time with his family, whether simple get-togethers in Austin or on numerous trips to North Carolina, Oklahoma and New York. Ramsey was a great athlete, scholar and friend. Growing up, Ramsey's front yard was the place where all the neighborhood kids tossed the football or met to ride bikes. Ramsey was always "game" for anything, and friends were drawn to his easy smile and fun loving nature. Ramsey excelled at soccer and played on many select teams, which his father often coached. Academics came easily for Ramsey. He graduated from Westwood High School; Ramsey was a Dean's List student at Texas State University, just a few classes away from completing a degree in Information Technology. During his teenage years, Ramsey began using marijuana to cope with grief and depression related to his father's illness and death. What started as experimental and recreational drug use in high school developed during his college years into the use of the prescription drug oxycontin, and eventually into an addiction to heroin. Within a matter of just a few months, this addiction derailed a once promising future. Ultimately, Ramsey was unable to escape the grasp of his addiction, though he had a tremendous will and desire to do so and the efforts and support of his family (most especially his mother and step-father) and numerous friends. The slide from recreational drugs to addiction is slippery and does not discriminate. Ramsey's family hopes that telling his story may help someone else avoid following a similar path. The family will receive family and friends at Beck Funeral Home located at 15709 Ranch Road 620 in Austin on Thursday, August 27 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The service will be held at the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church on Friday, August 28 at 10:00 a.m. Ramsey's final resting place will be alongside his father in Charlotte, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family has designated memorials to Discovery! Austin, 3001 RR 620 South, Suite 328, Austin, TX 78734 or Summer Sky Chemical Dependency Treatment Center, 1100 McCart, Stephenville, TX 76401.