Domingo Ramirez, referred to affectionately by his family and friends as Al, died peacefully in his home on Friday, January 11, 2019 with his family by his side. He died from complications from his exposure to Agent Orange that occurred during his several tours of duty in the Viet Nam War. Domingo was 87 years old.
He was born in Sugar Land, Texas on February 14, 1931. Shortly afterwards, he and his family moved to Falfurrias, Texas where Domingo attended Falfurrias High School. In high school, he excelled at several sports including football (running back), baseball (pitcher) and track (sprinter/relay) and earned several state records. During his senior year, he was recruited by many colleges including the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas (UT). In fact, he was one of the first few Latinos recruited by the Notre Dame football program. However, before he could enroll in UT, his school of choice, and accept full ride scholarships for football, baseball and track, the Korean War began and Domingo decided to forego a college education and a potential sports career. Instead, he chose to defend his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. A firm believer of honoring one’s obligations and living without regrets, he never left the Army for UT. Domingo served for 20 years and retired in 1970.
During his military career, Staff Sgt. Ramirez served in several units including the 2nd Infantry, 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, and the 5th Special Forces Group (Green Berets or 5th SFG). The 5th SFG is one of the most decorated active duty Special Forces groups in the U.S. armed forces.
In these units, he was deployed in many parts of the world and saw combat in the Korean War, the Dominican Civil War, and the Viet Nam War, where he volunteered for three tours of duty. During these conflicts, Domingo was wounded several times and the Army awarded him three Purple Heart medals. Some of his other awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB); Korean Service Medal (KSM); Viet Nam Service Medal (VSM); Viet Nam Combat Medal (VCM); and multiple Good Conduct Medals (GCM).
After his military career ended, Domingo continued to serve his country by becoming an Immigration and Detention Service officer. His second retirement occurred in 1995 after another 20 years of distinguished government service that included going undercover, escorting prisoners overseas, and helped fight a prison riot orchestrated by the Fidel Castro government.
Typically a stoic, reserved man, he would let sometimes allow himself to relax by listening to many different kinds of music from artists like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. However, one song in particular always brought a private smile to his face,“Ballad of the Green Berets,” written by another 5th Special Forces Group medic, Barry Sadler:
Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret…
He is survived by his second wife of 36 years, Alicia C. Ramirez; his siblings, Manuel V. Ramirez, Dalia Molina, Enrique Ramirez, Cynthia Ramirez, and Irma Chapa; sons, David T. (Lydia) Ramirez, Marcus T. (Nettie) Ramirez, step-son, Michael A. Flores; step-daughter, Marisol (Jacob) Garcia; grandchildren, Andres Munoz, Michael Flores, Jr., Sophia Garcia, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Domingo was preceded in death by his first wife of 19 years, Toshiko Tsujimoto; his parents, Leobardo and Gregoria Ramirez; his siblings, Mary Gonzales, George Ramirez, Aniceto Ramirez, Marcos Ramirez, Martha Saenz, Sylvia Gomez, and Helen Ruiz.
Domingo was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and soldier who never wavered in his love for his family, his country and UT. Hook ’em Horns. He will be dearly missed.
The family of Domingo Ramirez wishes to thank all the help from the Embrace Hospice staff for the excellent care provided for our family member during the final chapter of his life.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 pm; and a Rosary will be recited at 5:00 pm at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Service Mass will be on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 12 noon at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4411 Moana Dr., San Antonio, TX 78218 with the burial to follow at 1:30 pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209.
