Bernard James Ramirez

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sumiko Inoue Ramirez; grandson, Chris Browder; and his parents, Joseph and Marie Ramirez. Surviving family members include his sons, Jeffrey Ramirez, Leslie Ramirez, and Randall Ramirez; daughter, Beth Browder; granddaughter, Ashton Fields and her husband Josh Fields; great-grandsons, Maddox Fields and Asher Fields; brother, Thomas Ramirez and his wife Fern Ramirez; sister, Marta Hearn and her husband John Hearn; and sister-in-law, Elaine Ramirez.

Mr. Ramirez, a descendant of the Kiowa Tribe, was a twenty-three year veteran of the United States Army and served meritoriously in various elite elements of the Third Infantry Division; the Tenth Mountain Division; the Twenty-fifth Infantry Division; and the Second Armored Division; subsequent to that service he served with the U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command; establishing secure satellite communications for Joint United States Military Assistance/Advisory Groups and United States Embassies around the world. He was a combat veteran of the Second World War, the Korean Conflict, and the War in Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during the Korean Conflict as well as a variety of other combat medals with distinction for valor that he was too modest to discuss. During his entire life he enjoyed wildlife conservation, fishing and gardening, and he loved to read. He also performed innumerable anonymous acts of personal charity and generosity for less fortunate individuals and to support causes the he and, especially, his beloved wife Sumi, identified. A private, fiercely independent, modest and stoic man, he would have abhorred the length of this obituary.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 2321 Lumpkin Road, Augusta, GA 30906.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 2:00pm at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 2321 Lumpkin Road, Augusta, GA 30906. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. A private interment will follow at a later date.