Russell Edward Ramirez

Russell E. Ramirez passed away on 10/3/25 at the age of 75 after a short illness.

He was born in Hollister, California on 2/6/50. He grew up in San Juan Bautista with his parents, George and Rosie Rowe and his 6 siblings. He was an alter boy and a Knight of the alter at the San Juan Bautista Catholic Church where he also worked as a teen along side his mother.

Russ graduated from San Benito Joint Union High School in 1968 and went on to Gavilan College for 2 years. He graduated from the State University of New York at Brockport with a BA in Biology, participating in the Peace Corps College Degree Program. He met and married (6/4/71) his wife of 54 years, Mary (Gebhart) Ramirez, at Brockport. After dedicating 2 years to teaching science in Honduras, C.A. with the Peace Corps, they returned to the U.S. to earn masters degrees in Education at San Jose State University.

Upon moving to Las Vegas, Nev. in 1977 he taught Biology at Rancho High School and coached tennis and soccer. He moved through administrative ranks to become principal at Fremont Middle School and went on to open Monaco Middle School. In 2005 he was chosen as Nevada State Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Russ loved music and demonstrated a great sense of humor which endeared him to his friends and school staffs.

Russ is survived by his beloved wife, Mary and his treasured daughter, Amara. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Rosie Rowe as well as his brothers Robert, George, John and Thomas. He is survived by his sister Bernadette(Ron) Vaccarezza and his brother Edmond(Shari) Rowe. Mary’s seven siblings also considered Russ part of the family.

A memorial service will be held at Davis Funeral Home at 6200 S. Eastern Ave on 10/25/25 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Russ and Mary Ramirez Library at Mario C and Joanne Monaco Middle School, 1870 N. Lamont St. Las Vegas, Nev. 89115, would be appreciated.