be with our Lord in Heaven. He was born in Puerto Rico on May 15, 1941, and grew up in
Adjuntas, an area rich in bananas and coffee, working along-side his older brother, Alcidas. As
a young boy, he enjoyed boxing and attended grade school in Adjuntas. When our Father was a
young man, he and his family made the brave journey to the continental US where he enrolled
in high school in New York, then graduated with his brother, Alcidas. Guided by his beloved
stepfather, Donald T. Atkins, and armed with determination and an unimaginable work ethic,
made his way to Washington and graduated from JM Perry Institute in Yakima where he
completed his studies in Auto Body and Fender Repair. In the late summer of 1962, he met his
one and only love: our mother, Bonnie Ramos in Selah, Washington. It was love at first site:
they dated for five weeks and were married September 18, 1962. Together, Mom and Dad
raised five children over the following decades. They celebrated 58 years of marriage this past
year.
Our family lived in Wapato, WA where Dad first learned he had a passion for the food industry:
primarily fruit. This led to his first management role at a local orchard for several years.
Following this passion and desire to provide for his family, Dad moved our family to Mattawa,
WA, where he grew in his management role for a larger orchard. While in Mattawa, he also
volunteered as a firefighter. Becoming a volunteer firefighter was one of the most rewarding and
selfless decisions he ever made: he felt it so important to give back to the community in a
meaningful way. After the five of us were grown and on our own, Mom and Dad moved to East
Wenatchee where Dad worked for, and eventually retired from, C&O Nursery. In 2010 following
his retirement, they moved to Yakima as a more centralized location for visiting their children
and grandchildren. Our father took much pride in his work, his family, and his faith. His
grandchildren were his whole world: he lit up with joy when any were in his presence. He was
also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yakima and raised his children to know and
love God.
In 2016, his wife, daughter and grandsons traveled to Adjuntas, Puerto Rico where he revisited
his deep Puerto Rican roots with his family. This was a special time for Dad as he reconnected
with his childhood and was able to show his family so much of his early years. The simplest
pleasures in life brought great joy to our Father. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, playing
cards, bingo, watching western movies and spending time with his family members.
He is survived by many family members who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives
to the fullest: first and foremost, his devoted wife of 58 years, our mother, Bonnie Ramos, his
five children: son John Ramos (Yakima, WA), son Donald Ramos (Richland, WA), daughter
Cherri (Tom) Owen (Kennewick, WA), daughter Loretta Ramos (Pasco, WA), daughter
Catherine (Bob) Den Adel (Malott, WA) his 13 grandchildren: Samuel Gipson, Rocky Gipson,
Isaac (Serena) Gipson, Derek Den Adel, Destiny Johnson, Danielle Orozco, Jennifer Lisk,
Savannah Lisk, Devven Ramos, Jordan Ramos, Zachery Weed, Michaela Ramos, and Donald
Ramos Jr. He will also live on through his 15 great grandchildren.
We would like to thank Cottage in the Meadow Memorial Home for taking such great care of our
Father in his final days. Notes of remembrance of our Father may be made to Keith and Keith
Funeral Home: 902 W Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902 or online: at keithandkeith.com
Our family is planning a celebration of life on Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Pybus Market Tel Event Center, 3 N Worthen St, Wenatchee, WA 98801.
Faithful Father, we thank you that you are the Lord of life. We praise you that we are made in
your image, reflecting your truth and light. We thank you for the life of your child, the love he
received from you, and the love with which he loved us. We wait with eager anticipation for the
resurrection of the dead at the return of Jesus Christ. We thank you that we will share with all
your people in a world with no sin, pain, or death. We long to see you face to face and be
reunited with our husband/father. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
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