Jose Luis Ramirez

Lt Colonel Jose Luis Ramirez Retired, 96, was born on June 5, 1927. He passed away on March 14, 2024.

Jose Luis (Uncle Luis) was a husband, brother, uncle, godparent, soldier, and friend.

Uncle Luis will always be known for his warm smile, generous nature, spot-on advice, fascinating personal life stories, zeal for life, and his commitment to the family as patriarch of the Ramirez Family.  

Jose entered the U.S. Army, during WWII 1941-1946, to later transfer into the air component which broke away becoming the Army Air Corp, and subsequently the United States Air Force (USAF).  Additionally, he served in Vietnam & Korea Wars.  Upon entering his training, he quickly emerged as a Bi-Lingual translator for foreign officers and dignitaries.  Additionally, due to his quest for knowledge and continual academic studies he graduated from the Air War College 1974 with the highest scores ever recorded in that institution.  Not to mention his perseverance to continue learning lead him to advanced flight training for which he was inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame where his photograph and biography are proudly on display in the Air Museum at Wright Patterson AFB.   Jose enjoyed an active & rewarding career which offered constant travel with the US Air Force.  Along with a military assignment to handle the command as Deputy Base Commander of the largest Air Force Base in the US at Elgin AFB.  This was all followed by his tenure with the Department of Defense at Nasa’s Johnson Spacecraft Center.

 Colonel Ramirez retired in 1980 and was bestowed the permanent rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Academic studies started at Lamar College (now Lamar University), the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston BBA-1964, and Rice University Graduate School. Becoming a distinguished Alumni from University of Texas, Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity, life member of the Air Force Association, Reserve/Retired Officers Association (ROA) of Texas, ROA of the United States, Life Member of the GPA, and board member for the National Humane Society Board.  In addition, he was a frequent speaker at the Air Force Academy (Denver), Notre Dame University (South Bend, IN), Franciscan University (Steubenville, OH), and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Anaheim, CA).

Jose Luis is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Addie Lois (Aunt Lois), parents:  Nestora Margarette de Barron & Juan Gallaga Ramirez, sister Rosalie Gavina, brother’s: Catarino, Antonio, Juan Andres, Augustine Samuel.  He leaves behind his sister Beatrice Lopez, sister-in-law Rose, plus a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. 

A special Thanks to the Staff at Holly Hall retirement community, Post Acute Hospital, and staff, additionally:  Kelly with Enhabit Home Health for understanding his determination and strength allowing him to live an unencumbered existence.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Bradshaw-Carter Home, 1734 W. Alabama in Houston, where the Rosary is to commence at half past six o’clock.

The funeral mass is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, April 12, 2024, at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway in Houston.  The rite of committal is to follow at Houston National Cemetery at one o’clock in the afternoon.