Obituary of Mike De La Garza Ramirez

Our loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and trusted friend Mike passed away peacefully on August 7, 2023; at home surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Carmela Ramirez of 41 years, son Michael Ramirez (wife Sheila & children Zeaven, Kaicyn), and son Robert Ramirez (fiancée Jessica & children Robbie, Alex, Leah, Addison, Sophia); 11 siblings: Rudy (Yolanda) Ramirez, Edward Ramirez, Joe (Anna) Ramirez, Jesse (Teresa) Ramirez, David (Elvira), Corina (Jose) Campa, Alex (Amy) Ramirez, Alvaro (Criselda) Ramirez, Juan (Blanca) Ramirez, Raul (Sandra) Ramirez, Angie (Andy) Ibarra, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mike was born in Tucson, Arizona on October 21, 1951; the eldest of 12 children. As the oldest brother, he took care of his younger siblings while his parents worked, and some of his siblings considered him more as a father figure than as a brother. He went to school in Texas, California, Idaho, and other states as his parents moved throughout the United States for employment. As a young teenager he worked in various jobs, including working alongside his father operating farm trucks and equipment. In 1970 he enlisted in the Army 1^st Calvary Division at Fort Hood, TX. Upon completing his training, he continued with the Idaho National Guard (ING) 116^th Armored Calvary Regiment. In 1972, he completed Non-Commissioned Officers School at the Idaho Military Academy and served in various positions from Recruiter to retiring (May 10, 1991) as a Section Staff Sargeant for both the 116^th Engineer Battalion, and 129^th Engineer Company, and continued with the United States Army Retired Reserves. Although Mike was never at war, he was always ready to serve his country.  In addition to serving the ING, Mike had a long-term career of 35 plus years with the Bureau of Land Management, Vale District serving in many positions from Range Land Fire Fighter, Liaison Officer, Inspector, Incident Commander, Equipment Manager all while fulfilling his full-time position as a Heavy Equipment Engineering Operator. After retiring from the BLM in December 2012; he continued to work in various seasonal positions for the BLM Wildland Fire Program and volunteered at the Parma Senior Citizen Center.

There is no doubt that Mike worked very hard to be an exceptional provider to his family and was very proud of his wife and sons.  Regardless of how tired he was from working out of town, or on 21-day assignments during fire season, he always made time for his family from teaching the boys how to fish, hunt, bowl, play baseball, and other sports, but the most enjoyable for Mike was taking the family to the Oregon Coast and teach his sons how to crab and deep-sea fish. He would volunteer with their Boy Scout projects, work the chains in Little League Football, and help at numerous Baseball fund raisers and concession stands. Overall, Mike was a very kind, caring, and generous person that was always offering to help others and would even give the shirt off his back or the last dollar he had in his wallet.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Angelita Ramirez, several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Sweetheart, Dad, and Best Friend. You were always there for us and provided us with just about anything we asked for. You were a phenomenal husband, awesome father, great role model, and most important our forever trusted friend.  We are forever grateful and blessed for all the fun years you spent with us. Let your spirit soar high and enjoy paradise. We will always Love You! Carmela, Michael, Robert 

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