Martin Ramirez Jr.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Martin Ramirez Jr. at the age of 88. Martin died peacefully at home with family, in Katy, TX, on April 13, 2025, after a brief illness.
He was predeceased by both parents, Martin Ramirez and Maria de los Angeles Ramirez, his younger brother Hector Ramirez, and his younger sister Lily Castillo. Martin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Maria Cristina "Cookie" Payides de Ramirez, his son Martin Ramirez III and his wife Rebeca, his daughter Maria "Koukla" Medor and her husband Matthew, grandson AJ Ramirez, great grandson Jayden Ramirez, granddaughters Anna Ramirez and Corina Ramirez, sister Rosalinda Acevedo and many nieces and nephews.
Martin was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on February 16, 1937. Martin completed his primary education in Nuevo Laredo and high school in Laredo, TX. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Martin joined the U.S. Army in 1960 and was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX. While at Fort Bliss, Martin met Cookie, the love of his life. After a three-year courtship, Cookie snuck out of her house (much to the surprise of her parents) and Martin drove them to a New Mexico Justice of the Peace where they eloped. While Cookie's parents weren't thrilled with their antics, they grew to love Martin and welcomed him into the family.
Martin became a United States citizen in 1975; it was one of his proudest days. Martin loved God, his family and the USA.
A longtime resident of El Paso, TX, Martin worked for 22 years at the Popular Dry Goods Company and for 10 years at the City of El Paso's Community Development office. Martin also worked for the Rhodes Department Stores in Albuquerque, NM, and San Antonio, TX. Martin retired in 2007 and enjoyed being active, spending his days target shooting at the Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club and flying model airplanes he built as a member of the El Paso Radio Controllers Club. Martin loved watching Chicago Fire, listening to Frank Sinatra, eating a slice of homemade apple pie, Whataburger breakfast taquitos, and overindulging his granddogs with treats. Martin also loved coffee and never turned a cup down. As he grew older, his love of sweets increased and was evident by the number of candy wrappers he hid in the car and his pockets.
Martin had an exceptional long-term memory, regaling friends and family with tales about growing up in Nuevo Laredo and his adventures in the Army.
In lieu of flowers or donations the Ramirez family asks that you take a moment to hug your child, grandchild, friend, overindulge your dog with treats, enjoy a good cup of coffee or watch the sunset. Time waits for no one.
A special and sincere thank you to the AccentCare Hospice nurses who took care of Martin and his family during his brief illness.