Santford Ramsey

Santford Earl Ramsey was the first baby that came into this world in Denton County, Texas on January 1, 1934 which, in his mind, was why everyone celebrated New Years.\r\n\r\nRaised following the cotton crops, his dream was to fly and at 17 years old he joined the United States Air Force where he was able to fulfill that dream for the next 20 years, first flying with the Strategic Air Command, SAC, then receiving the highest commendations for his abilities as an outstanding Air Traffic Controller in various states and countries. Stories of his life and shenanigans are endless and colorful. It was while serving he taught himself to golf and was a favorite on the AF Golf Team.. ..working?? (His mother never thought his flying around in the AF was a job. She would say "Earl, you need to get yourself a real job.") Bowling was another of his many talents as he set a new house record at the Albrook AFB in Panama bowling the first 700 series there totaling a 726 score.\r\n\r\nUpon retiring from the service he moved his family to Corvallis, Oregon where he was a member of the Rotary Club and Corvallis Country Club, he was an avid golfer. Santford was his own man and did various work including flying charters, teaching flying, real estate, private investigating, managed a small airport and brokered Christmas trees.\r\n\r\nThis larger than life man loved life, his family, people and traveling. . . he never met a stranger. He married Kathryn in 1994 and in 1998 they moved to Sun City West, Arizona after stating he no longer wanted to golf in the mud. Nine years later they took to the RV life finally settling in Ingram, Texas.\r\n\r\nHe wrestled with Parkinson's disease for the last 15 years of his life. Never getting discouraged he would enter each phase with a positive attitude and sense of humor never fully admitting his limitations. He is remembered and loved for his big heart, smile and sense of humor until the last by everyone who ever met him.\r\n\r\nPreceding him in death are his father, Barney Ramsey; mother, Carrie Riley (Taylor); his brother, Kenneth Ramsey; and two sisters, Ginny Brittian (Frank) and Della Williams (Jim).\r\n\r\nMissing him is his wife, Kathryn Ramsey of Ingram, Texas; brother, Jim Ramsey (Barb) of San Antonio, Texas; sister, Janie Caywood of Mt. Vernon, Washington; sons, Brad Ramsey of El Campo, Texas and Scott Ramsey (Kristen) of Corvallis, Oregon; daughter, Shari Stein (Jeff) of San Diego, Calif.; sister-in-law, Delores Dishong of Ingram, Texas; step-children, Monty Brown, Jr. (Kassandra) of White City, Oregon and Monica Bolinger (Rich) of Kerrville, Texas; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews.\r\n\r\nA huge thank you to the nursing staff at Hilltop Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center especially wing C...and even more special to Rebecca Rodriquez who lovingly cared for him the entire 5 years he was there. She was his other guardian angel. Also to New Century Hospice, Velda Waliky, who lovingly watched and cared for him too the last 5 months of his life.\r\n\r\nService and interment will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020, 10:15 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas with full military honors\r\n\r\nArrangements are being entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapel, Kerrville, Texas. \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation.\r\n\r\n\r\n