John Joseph Ramm

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William “Bill” Ramm, his first wife Carolyn Ramm in 2013, and the love of his life, his wife of over 30 years Anna Lee Ramm in 2008.

He is survived by his brother Frank Ramm, his five children Robert, Martha, Jane, Paul and John Jr., his eight step-children Debbie, Mary, Cindy, Lisa, Jimmy, Jeffery, Johnny and Maureen, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Big Daddy”, as he was affectionately known to his family, was the “Entertainer” of life. He loved life, people, entertaining people and being entertained. He lived to get the most out of life, always ready with a story or anecdote designed to get a smile out of the listener.

John served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving most of his enlistment in Germany where he developed a great love for the people and culture. He shared many stories of the friends he made while there. After returning home he enrolled at K-State where he studied engineering and played basketball during his freshman year. John became an active member of St Elizabeth Church in Kansas City, where he devoted many years of servitude to the Catholic Church. He enjoyed planning Mardi Gras parties and leading “Lion Hunts” taking children on a fantasy adventure through the jungle. It became a favorite of young and old alike. In 1974 he married the love of his life, Anna Lee. They moved to Saudi Arabia where they lived for 3 years as he oversaw the implementation of the Denver Zephyr railcar fleet for the Saudi Arabian Government Railway.

Later in life he became a “renaissance man” enjoying life to the fullest, working a multitude of jobs such a cards dealer at Harrah’s Casino, as well as traveling and gambling around the world with Anna Lee. After Anna Lee’s passing in 2008 he moved into the Greenwood Terrace Retirement Community where he was able to continue his love of life. He became the “UN”-official, self-declared, enrichment coordinator. He was able to continue entertaining the children that visited with Lion Hunts, calling bingo and dealing penny poker. He dealt his last hands of poker the night before he passed.

The family wishes to extend gratitude to the staff of Greenwood Terrace, The Caring Group and Gentiva Hospice. With their care and assistance Big Daddy was able to live where he was happiest until his last day.

Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. followed by funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 28, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. Entombment will be in the Faith Mausoleum at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Fight Colorectal Cancer, 1414 Prince Street, Suite 204, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, or online at Give.FightCRC.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.