Marcus Ramirez

Marcus Ramirez ended his battle with health ailments in faithfulness to Jehovah on Fri, July 13, 2018. Marcus was born on July 29, 1946 to Emeterio and Margarita Ramirez in Gonzales, TX.

He went to school in Nixon Texas and it was at this time, around the age of 14, he developed his lifelong love for music where he joined a band and they played wherever they could. Soon after this he noticed the girl who would become his wife; they dated for a year and soon started their family.

They had 2 sons and 3 daughters: Their first child, Margaret Garcia, married to Steve Garcia, children Ana and great grandchild Mitzie and son Andrew; second child Marcus Jr, married to Loly, his children Alex and Joaquin. Preceded in death by their third child Jo Ann and survived by her daughter Zoe. Their fourth child, Eric Ramirez, wife Myrna and their children Erica and Mia; and Marcus’ and Emma’s youngest daughter Nadia Carrizal, married to Peter Carrizal and their children Jaylynn and Eden Carrizal.

Marcus’ love for music was very deep and reflected in everything he did. He was a member of a band called Los Houstonaires, he recorded records and even played on TV and was about to go on tour when he was introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses by his wife, where they studied the bible together and dedicated their lives to Jehovah and symbolized it in baptism on June 28, 1974. His love for Jehovah was reflected in his desire to help others study the bible so they too can come to know and love Jehovah. In his later years he even learned the language of Khmer in order to help the Cambodian people learn about Jehovah as well. As he learned the language, he was able to give talks and conduct Bible studies with the Cambodian community.

A key thought that Marcus enjoyed teaching others are reflected in these faith-strengthening and encouraging words that he himself used in many of his talks:

“How many of you, look forward to the time when we can enjoy life the way Jehovah wants us to have. No rent, no mortgages, no doctor bills and all the sickness that plagues mankind today. Jehovah’s promises of a resolution is so certain that at Isaiah 65 Jehovah spoke as if it were already fulfilled. A good comforting scripture is Isaiah 65:17. So at that time Jehovah will radically change conditions of this earth for better, new heavens will be under new governmental heavenly rule and new earth. New Earth represents a new Earthly society that not only will experience a spiritual but also physical Earthly Paradise. Here we see no need for Doctors, police, psychiatrists, etc. The scriptures mentioned former things will not be called to mind. Sickness, suffering as well and all the woes that plague mankind will not even come up into the heart and if they do it will not cause any pain or hurt. What blessings we can look forward to under God’s Kingdom. Yes, a new Heaven and a New Earth will truly bring a cause for rejoicing. May we all remain faithful and loyal to Jehovah so that we can experience exactly what Jehovah will bring about in the near future.”

This is the hope that he had in Jehovah and fought for till the end. And we can imagine he would say something like this to comfort anyone going through what his family is going through right now.

Marcus aided many to learn about Jehovah, these were his spiritual children and closest friends. He was very involved in many organizational activities of construction of assembly halls, kingdom halls, disaster relief work – painting countless homes of brother’s and sister’s, many of whom he did not even know.

Many who knew him would say he was their closest friend. These words were expressed to his family many times over the years. In fact there was hardly a place that they would go where he did not know at least one person. Even in his work career as a painter, from which he developed a talent at a young age, he developed many long term friendships with co-workers, clients, suppliers, vendors, many of whom have expressed words of kindness for him and their condolences. These sentiments are greatly appreciated by his family and just reaffirm the love and appreciation they have for Marcus as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

So whether Marcus preached to you , studied the bible with you, played music at your wedding or anniversary, sang karaoke with you, painted your house or was a friend to you, he did all these things with sincerity and love. Marcus was a husband to one, a father to few, a grand and great grandfather to some and a dear friend to all. Marcus will be missed by everyone. His family feels that he would want you to know that if he knew you, no matter who you are, he considered you a dear friend.

To end with one of his favorite sayings, “Such is Life.”