Louis Julian Ramirez III

Louis J. Ramirez, III, age 93 passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2020. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Birmingham Community Charter High School's Ramirez Sports Complex Soccer Field. In Lieu of flowers the family has requested donation be made to the BCCHS "Dad's Club" (Tax ID# 95-6114298) for the Ramirez Baseball Field upgrade (Bullpens and Batting Cages). in Lou's honor. Please mail the check to:

Lou Ramirez Baseball Field Upgrades

7055 Park Manor Avenue

North Hollywood, CA 91605

Louis Julian Ramirez III was born on June 2, 1926 at home in Hollywood, California to Louis J Ramirez II and Frances Hillis Ramirez. He had two younger sisters: Lenore and Patricia.

He was close to both his grandparents on his father’s side and his mother’s side of the family. He remembers helping Louis J Ramirez, aka Grandpa Pum Pum (his father’s father) pick apricots from his backyard trees. Grandma Mum had the green thumb in the garden. He received his religious training from his mother, Frances, and her mother, his grandmother Hillis Tausig.

His grandparents on his mother’s side immigrated to the US from Cornwall, England and Ireland. His grandfather on his mother’s side passed away when his mother was six years old in Montana. His grandmother and mother moved to California with only $1.05 in her pocket. She found work cleaning and cooking for people in their homes. She later met and married Step Grandpa Tausig, who was a Jewish immigrant from Germany. My father remembered that he helped other Jewish people emigrate from Germany to the US in California. Some would stay at their house when they arrived. He remembers hearing terrible stories that he could not understand when he was about 6 years old.

He grew up in Hollywood, California and went to Grant Elementary School, Le Conte Middle School and Hollywood High School. He enjoyed taking long walks and runs with his dad up to the Hollywood hills and playing hide and seek there with his friends.

He played football, track and tennis in High School. He had his own paper route when he was 10 or 11 years old, and when he was in high school, he had two paper routes. He also worked at Warner Brothers theater as an usher, where he saved balcony seats for the likes of Bing Crosby and Errol Flynn. He was always a very hard worker and started working at a young age. In high school, he would get up 4 AM to do his two paper routes before school. Then he would go to school and go to whatever sports practice there was after school. In the evening he would work at the movie theater till about 1 AM or so, then go home and get up at 4 AM to start his paper routes. He worked hard his entire life.

He saved the first money he made delivering newspapers to buy his little sister, Patricia, her first tricycle.

He was always happy and whistling. You could hear him coming. He loved to sing.

When he was 17 years old, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the South Pacific on a small PC boat and was in the battle of Okinawa. One of their duties was to guard the large carriers by forming a picket line around them at night so they would draw the fire instead of the large carriers. In addition, they did the minesweeping when they came into port ahead of the large carriers. He was also in a major typhoon on October 8, 1945 in the South China Sea. His ship sunk during the typhoon. He advanced up the ranks to second class petty officer and was the sonar man on his ship.

He served in the Navy for two years and then under the G.I. Bill, he was able to go to his dream university, USC! He was on the frosh football team until he was injured. He was president of the men’s student body. He also joined a fraternity, Sigma Chi and won their Balfour award for the most outstanding senior. He loved attending USC and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree there. He was a loyal Trojan his entire life.

He loved teaching and athletics. He started teaching in 1952 at a middle school in East LA for one year. In 1953, he decided to move to Birmingham HS where he taught for the next 45 years. He enjoyed teaching California History and US history there. He was also the sponsor to many clubs on campus such as cheerleading, Knights and Ladies, student council, Letterman’s club, Dad’s club and was the athletic director for 43 years.

He married his HS and college sweetheart, Joan Rayburn on June 20, 1952. They went on to have 3 children: Linda, Louis IV, and Richard, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was a wonderful and loving husband and father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was a great encourager, supporter and mentor to many students and friends. His love for his family knew no bounds. He was also a constant supporter, encourager and helper to his children and grandchildren. Although he spent many hours working, there was always time and attention that was for his family. His children knew that they were always number one in his thoughts and concern, aside from God. He was their #1 fan. His wife was the love of his life which was apparent every day.

He loved USC and stayed very involved after graduating. He was on Trojan Track Force, the Trojan coaches club and alumni advisor to the Sigma Chi house. He was a very loyal person and true friend.

He was a very religious person and loved God. He attended the 36th Church of Christ Scientist.

He helped everyone and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for someone in need. He was a most unselfish person and very generous.

He LOVED our country and was very patriotic! ❤️ USA ❤️

He was very quick witted and had a great sense of humor. He was an incredible storyteller. In 1984, he ran Olympic training site for track and field, basketball and soccer at Birmingham HS. He also was in charge of and hosted the Armenian Olympic Festival every summer for 30+ years at Birmingham HS.

When he retired from teaching at the age of 72 years old, the school district asked him to return as a mentor for new teachers which he was happy to do for the next 10 years. He also remained very active in Birmingham athletics assisting his former assistant athletic director, Rick Prizant for a number of years. He even watched Birmingham win the City Football Championship victory in December 2019.

He passed peacefully into God’s loving arms with his family by his side on January 30, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Joan Rayburn Ramirez, daughter, Linda Ramirez Furniss, son, Louis J Ramirez IV, son, Richard Rayburn Ramirez, granddaughter, Kristina Furniss Stonebreaker, grandson, Matt Furniss,

Granddaughter, Kristi Ramirez, grandson, Louis J Ramirez V, grandson, Luke Ramirez, grandson Evan Ramirez great grandson, Steven Stonebreaker, great granddaughter Katie Furniss, great granddaughter, Estelle Stonebreaker and great grandson, Grant Furniss.

He will be greatly missed by so many.