Gloria Ramirez Quintero

Gloria Ramirez Quintero was born October 11, 1944, in the Township of Sundown, Minnesota. The fourth of 11 siblings, Gloria’s life was greatly enriched by her large family, whom she was surrounded by at her passing.

From a young age, Gloria was instilled with a hard work ethic that began in the fields as a “water girl” to her family and others working in the fields as migrant farmers throughout the Midwest. Her tireless work ethic carried on with her later in life, as she married Ramiro Quintero Sr. and raised their three sons, Alfred, Ramiro Jr. (“Little Medo”), and Steven. As a homemaker, Gloria was a dedicated wife and mother, supporting her husband in his business ventures and their sons in their education, sports, and various extra curricular activities.

As her sons’ grew older, Gloria’s passion for cooking of delicious Tex-Mex food grew beyond her personal kitchen, leading her to open a restaurant and share her food with the public. Gloria took over the neighborhood pub previously ran by her father-in-law, and Tampico Restaurant was born. For 26 years, Gloria was head chef and operator, dishing out both traditional and unique Tex-Mex dishes in the middle of Bryan’s historic westside. While all her recipes were savored, she was most known for Tampico’s distinct take on migas, and Gloria’s infamous menudo.

When Gloria wasn’t tending to her family or working, she enjoyed spending time with family while listening and dancing to music. She was enamored with Tejano music, with Joe Lopez “Little Joe” and Jay Perez being her all time favorites. If a talented Tejano artist was playing in town or nearby, you could bet money Gloria would be there until the end, singing her lungs out and dancing through her feet hurting. In her later years, Gloria greatly cherished spending time with loved ones over a warm meal and a good laugh, reminiscing on past memories and entertained with new stories.

Gloria was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who will be deeply missed by those who knew her. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Louis Ramirez Sr. and Geneva Mendez, sister Annie Villarreal, and son Alfred Napoleon Quintero.

Gloria is survived by her sons Ramiro Quintero Jr. and Steven Columbus Quintero; brothers Lupe Ramirez and wife Mary, Johnny Ramirez and wife Julia, Louis Ramirez Jr. and wife Allas, and Eddie Ramirez; sisters Olivia Trejo, Janie Manriquez, Josie Ramirez, Angie Cruz and husband Lio, Mary Aquino and husband Isaias; grandchildren Brianna Quintero and significant other Matthew Glover, Kelsey Bustamante and husband Ray, Cameron Quintero and wife Mayra, Brandon Quintero, Dylan Quintero, and Albany Quintero; great-grandchildren Taylor Brynn Rocha, Nicolas Bustamante, and Ezra Quintero; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-8 pm, with 6:30 pm rosary service at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 28th at Santa Teresa Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Rest-Ever Memorial Cemetery. Reception to follow burial, at Top Shelf Bar & Event Center.