PHILLIP MARTINEZ RAMOS, SR.

On the evening of August 17, 2025, at 5:06 PM, Phillip M. Ramos, Sr., surrounded by his loving family, passed away peacefully due to natural causes at the Whittier Medical Center, Whittier, California. Mr. Ramos was 102 years old.

Mr. Ramos was born to Pedro and Maria Martinez on July 5, 1923, in Santa Paula, California. In 1942, he married Emma Silva. From 1942 to 1945, he served as a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II for the Pacific Campaign. On July 4, 1943, he fathered two twin sons, Phillip Jr. and Joseph. On March 17, 1950, he fathered a daughter, Elizabeth Ramos.

Throughout his life Mr. Ramos was a Shining Star Achiever.

Mr. Ramos has been a resident of Montebello since 1956.

In 2016 the City of Montebello awarded him the Shining Star Lifetime Achiever Award.

Mr. Ramos was mayor of the City of Montebello for three terms in 1976, 1980, and 1984. He also served as the city treasure from 1987 to 1995 and on the planning commission from 1963 to 1971. He served with integrity and business skills to move the city forward.

He served his community with outstanding accomplishments by being the first Hispanic to be nominated to the California State University Los Angeles advisory board, on which he served from 1963 to 1971. He was the first Hispanic elected president of the Independent Cities Association, in 1979. He achieved this while advancing to work as president of two Teledyne Fortune 500 companies, again as the first Hispanic.

After Teledyne Wire & Cable closed their operations in Southern California, Mr. Ramos didn't want to retire. He called his son, Phillip Jr., Founder and Owner of Philatron Wire & Cable, and asked him if he had a position for him. Of course! Phillip Jr. welcomed his Dad to join his company as Executive Vice-President. Mr. Ramos had decades of experience as a wire and cable manufacturer executive. And Philatron's employees and his son were tremendously blessed with Mr. Ramos's contributions of his leadership, professionalism, engineer, and his experience as a business executive of a Fortune 500 manufacturer. Mr. Ramos contributed to Philatron for over three decades.

Additionally, Mr. Ramos supported his Daughter, Elizabeth, with her business, Rapid Advancement Community Counseling, which is dedicated to helping families.

Mr. Ramos was an excellent athlete and held the City of Los Angeles cross-country record while attending Garfield High School in 1939. He was an adept golfer, baseball player, bowler, and golfer. His hobby in his late years was golfing. He enjoyed golfing with his friends, business associates, and relatives.

Phillip is preceded in death by his wife, Emma, and his son, Joseph. He is survived by his son, Phillip Jr., his daughter Elizabeth, his grandchildren - Phillip-III, Nick, Candi, Joey, Jason, Jonathan, and Erick, his great grandchildren – Erwin, Phillip IV, Donavan, Breanna, Jacob, Jennica, Jared, and Gena, his great great granddaughter – Aria, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Virgil & Rosary - Thursday, August 28th - 4:00 - 6:00 PM - Risher Mortuary 1316 W. Whittier Blvd., Montebello, CA

Mass - Friday, August 29th - 11:00 AM - St. Benedict Church - 1022 W. Cleveland Avenue, Montebello, CA

Funeral - Friday, August 29th - 12:30 - Resurrection Cemetery - 966 Potrero Grade, Rosemead, CA

Reception - Friday, August 29th - 1:00-4:00 PM - Doubletree Rosemead Hotel - 888 Montebello Blvd., Rosemead, CA