Tad Ramsey

Clarence Leon "Tad" Ramsey was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 23, 1945, son of Ulyes Ramsey and Erma Ramsey. Tad had one sister, Barbara Ramsey Cook, born 2 years 8 months years after him. Barbara tells the story that he would always say "2",

but she'd say "3".

Tad graduated high school in 1964 from Mabelvale High School just outside of Little Rock. He went to work at Southwestern Bell Telephone as a cable splicer immediately following graduation. In 1967 enlisted in the Air Force about the same time as his Little Rock buddy, Freddy Shoemaker. He talked a lot about his travels while in the service and all of the different airports he would land in. He only regretted that he had not taken the time to actually explore new places. The stories he would tell about the time he was stationed in Ankara, Turkey in a SAC (Strategic Air Command) Unit looking right into Russia were so interesting and exciting! Walking down paths to the Mess Hall with 10 ft. ice walls or having packs of wolves come into the compound. A lot different from life in rural Arkansas, and he loved it! He was a Microwave Radio Technician the majority of his time in the Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Sargent in December 1971.

His sister, Barbara and her husband, Joe Cook, welcomed two beautiful children into the world and he became Uncle Tad. Stacey Renee now 49 and Bobby Joe, 48, loved him so much. He loved his role in their lives. Even though miles apart, they knew

their Uncle Tad would always be there for them.

He returned to Little Rock after leaving the Air Force and began working again for Southwestern Bell, Ma Bell, as a cable splicer. He had also dreamed of being a pilot and got his pilot’s license. He even went as far as buying his own plane. This love for flying was, no doubt, an influence of his Uncle Bud Farnam.

During the early seventies, his life was filled with romance and tragedy. He and his "Band of Brothers" including John Michael, Ricky, Randy, Gene, Spotty, Luke, Jerry, Jimmy, Larry, Bochette and Two Dogs was made up of long time Little Rock friends along with new ones he met in Northwest Arkansas, found a beautiful valley nestled in the Ozarks and many decided to settle there. They started the Annual Hard Bean Electric Moo, a gathering of family and friends, and the tribe has continued to grow for over 45 years.

From telephone cable splicer to part owner of a silk-screen t-shirt printing company to the art director of a multi-media company in Little Rock, Tad rarely met a challenge he couldn't rise to. Oh, and a top-notch mechanic. He could even change out a carburetor with his eyes closed!

In 1978 while working as an art director, he met a young radio copywriter, Jamie Oden, and they became best friends. Later that year, Tad began cable splicing as an independent contractor and accepted a wonderful job opportunity in Van Nuys, California. He and Jamie moved and started their life's adventure together.

In 1982, they headed to Las Vegas and were married at the Silver Bells Wedding Chapel on September 25 (Jamie's birthday is September 22, Tad's the 23, they took a day off and got married on the 25).

In 1983, they moved back to Arkansas where they had their firstborn, Melody Pearl Ramsey, born May 11 in Springdale, Arkansas. Life as new parents was an adventure, but one of the greatest joys that Tad had ever known. He had to travel out of town a great deal for work and in 1984; they made the big move to Texas. Their second child, Andrew James Ramsey, was born June 20, 1985 in Lewisville, Texas. That year they also built a home in The Colony, Texas on Lake Lewisville. They raised two incredible amazing children who have since become inspiring adults and host of others who affectionately called him, TadDad, their entire lives. The role of "Mister Mom" he took on 1989, soon became the most rewarding of his lifetime.

The Ramsey's lives were a true adventure with road trips, camping in Old Blue (he loved his vans), family reunions with his Oklahoma and Arkansas kinfolks, and Moo Field festivals in Pettigrew, AR. setting up deluxe campsites in Goldie were some of his best times. There were a couple of summers that he would take a cable splicing job out of town, and he would load up his work truck and head out with Andrew. Andrew turned 13 in Salt Lake City on one of those work trips. Oh, the stories those two would share!

As Melody and Andrew grew older, his duties as TadDad began to lessen and he found time to tinker, even had his own business, TadDad the Handy Man, for a brief time. He was a man of many projects. He also loved is western televisions shows, movies and books, and would kickback in his lazy boy recliner and enjoy his days. Peaceful, content and almost complete.

Then on May 22, 2019, Melody and her husband, Daniel Matt, brought Michiah Rhythm Matt into this beautiful world. Tad's first Grandchild and the immediate bond was set. He loved his role as Grand Pa, although a truly short time, Michiah recognized and loved his Grand Pa.

Telling the story of Tad’s life wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his Furbabies that he loved so very much. From childhood to present his “mine” dogs – Mitzy, Jack, Kona, Sam, and his sidekick for the past 19 years, Winston Churchill “Winnie” Ramsey.

Tad was a Christian and always had a Bible in his truck and alongside of his bed. Not realizing they were his final days, he and Jamie had several talks about the Lord and their faith. He was not afraid and knew that there was a place for him in heaven. One of Jamie's Dad's favorite scriptures and Tad loved it, too.

John 14: 1-2

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would

have told you; I go to prepare a place for you."

Tad is survived by his wife, one daughter, one son, one grandson, one brother-in-law, one son-in-law, two nieces and nephew along with their children and his sister. Along with his tribe of lifelong friends, we all loved him and will greatly miss him. The quiet man. The gentle man. The wise man. The loving man. TadDad the Legend. LOVE FOREVER