Antonio Ramirez Suarez

Antonio “Tony” Ramirez Suarez, born October 25, 1925 in Houston, TX to Juan Garcia Suarez of Luling, TX and Maria De Jesus Ramirez Suarez of Guadalajara, Mexico, passed away peacefully at his home on August 16, 2015, at the age of 89. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and spiritual leader who loved unconditionally and was respected by all. We will miss his wisdom, guidance, and are grateful for all that he did for his family. Thank you Dad for your legacy and the family you and Mom created. Tony was employed by Southern Pacific Railroad for 45 years when he retired in 1987. He began his career as a Carmen Apprentice, then a journeyman Carmen. In the late 1940’s he became a member of the Railroad Carmen Union and in the 1950’s was appointed to sub-committeeman.. In 1968 he was elected to Chief Stewart. In the 1970’s he was elected as the first Hispanic Chairman of the Carmen Union and later the first Hispanic General Chairman of Railway Carmen of America, Southern Region TX/LA and represented over 1,000 Carmen. After his term as General Chairman, he was a Car Inspector/AR Billing Inspector, TexMex, S.P., Port Terminal until he retired in 1987. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946, 3rd Class Petty Officer, B24 Squad where he received the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal and America Area Campaign Medal. He was a Lector and CCE instructor at Resurrection Catholic Church for several years until 1972. In August 1972 he became a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, where he was a Lector in the early years and remained an active member of the community until his health deteriorated.

He is predeceased by his sons, Patrick Abrego Suarez, Michael Abrego Suarez, son-in-law Raphael Gomez; brothers, Roy, John, Luis, Marcus, Guadalupe and parents, Juan Garcia Suarez and Maria De Jesus Ramirez Suarez. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Avelina Abrego Suarez; children Richard Suarez and wife Karen, Anthony Suarez, Joseph Suarez and wife Gloria, Christine Suarez Gomez, Patricia Suarez Morales and husband Eugene, David Suarez and wife Cathi, Loretta Suarez Garcia and husband Robert, Thomas Suarez and wife Cindy, Mary Ann Suarez Castillo and husband Stephen, James Suarez, Jackie Suarez Ortega and husband Frank, Connie Suarez Mercado and Gracie Suarez Clark and husband Chris, and daughter-in-law Melva Suarez.

Twenty-nine grandchildren: Anthony Jacob Suarez and wife Stephanie, Sydney Suarez, Taylor Suarez, Carrie Suarez-Rosas and husband Miguel, Theresa Suarez Soper, Toni Suarez Riojas and husband Michael, Joseph Suarez Jr., and wife Karla, Christopher Suarez and wife Marissa, Carla Gomez, Albert Gomez and wife Sarah, Tricia Morales Weaver and husband Josh, Eugene R. Morales III and wife Judy, Patrick Morales and wife Clarissa, Jeanna Morales, Tiffany Suarez, Carly Suarez Walker and husband John, Quinn Begin and wife Michelle, Alexander Begin and wife Melissa, Thomas Galaviz Suarez, Jennifer Suarez Quackenbush and husband Carey, Timothy Suarez and wife Laura, Anne Castillo, Megan Suarez, Joelle Suarez Ortega, Adrienne Moreno and husband Steven, Lauren Mercado, Ernest Antonio Mercado III, Matthew Mercado and Neeley Clark. Twenty-nine great grandchildren: Kailyn Marie Suarez, John Suarez, Miguel Rosas IV, Jacob Rosas, Eli Soper, Owen Soper, Ava Riojas, Bria Suarez, Griffin Suarez, Kailyn Genell Suarez, Tessa Weaver, Isaac Weaver, Nathaniel Weaver, Eugene Antonio Morales, Jude Morales, Clarissa Dominguez, Desiree Falcon, Anthony Falcon, Kaylee Walker, Weston Walker, Thalia Begin, Avianna Begin, Ayden Begin, Madison Begin, Alicia Blanco, Joel Quackenbush, Luke Suarez, Caleb Suarez, and Azalea Moreno.

Visitation will be held at 6:30 pm, with a rosary service at 7:30pm, on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum Road, Houston, Texas. Funeral Mass at 10:30 am, Friday, August 21, 2015 also at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 12:30 pm at Houston National Cemetery, 10401 Veterans Memorial Drive.