Juan Ramos

Juan was born in 1935 in Del Rio, Texas, a border town along the Rio Grande River, to Manuel and Juanita Ramos. His father was employed by the railroad. The eldest of six children, Juan was preceded in death by a brother and three sisters; he is survived by one sister who resides in San Antonio. Juan received his primary, secondary, and high school education in the Del Rio public schools, graduating second in his class from Del Rio High School.

During his youth, Juan spent summers working in Los Angeles, traveling courtesy of the railroad passes afforded to families of railroad employees. Ultimately called home, he was encouraged to attend Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas. Although he initially enrolled late and was assigned basic classes, the arrival of his high school transcript prompted a reassessment, and his coursework was quickly advanced. While working in the college cafeteria, Juan met Ana Varela of Redford, Texas. After graduation, Juan and Ana were married in Redford.

The newlyweds began their married life in Los Angeles, where Juan worked as a social worker and Ana as a schoolteacher. Their first child was born during this period, and before leaving Los Angeles Juan earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. As Juan advanced professionally, the family relocated to San Jose, California, where they welcomed two additional children.

At the encouragement of his superiors, Juan pursued doctoral studies and earned a PhD from the Heller School of Social Work at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. While in Waltham, their fourth child was born. Upon completing his doctorate, Juan entered federal service in Washington, D.C., in 1968. The family settled in Maryland, where they raised their four children and were members of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Bethesda, Maryland.

After joining the Mother of God community, the family relocated to Montgomery Village, along with many other community members. Rising to the Senior Executive Service, Juan completed a distinguished career and retired from the National Institute of Mental Health after thirty‑five years of service in 2004.

Juan is survived by his beloved wife, Ana; their four children; three grandchildren; and three great‑grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 9000 Warfield Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial offered at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery in Germantown, Maryland. A repast will be held at the church immediately following the interment.