Ramon Alvarado

Ramon Alvarado, age 66, of Colleyville, Texas passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. He was born June 18, 1958 in Tulsa, Oklahoma but his parents wisely moved everyone to Texas as quickly as possible! Ramon attended Grapevine High School, graduating in 1976. He then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX and later worked hard to obtain his Airframe and Powerplant certification to work in the airline industry. He began his career with Southwest Airlines, then moved to Braniff International, and finally landed his dream job with American Airlines in 1985, and finishing his career as an avionics technician. He loved being able to keep ‘em flying!

Ramon had a passion for music and a talent to match. He began playing trumpet in his middle school years and his talent developed each year, winning multiple high school UIL and band competition trophies, then he was accepted into Texas Tech University’s Goin’ Band from Raiderland under the direction of Dean Killion in 1977. We were all super proud of him, when, as a freshman band member, he was placed in the first part trumpet section. Along with other Tech band members, Ramon played for a local theater production of “The Music Man” and was later part of a trumpet carillon that performed for a Lubbock women’s organization. After the director introduced the band members, he mentioned that all of them but Ramon were in the band because they were music majors. He then added that Ramon was in the band simply because he loved music. His passion for music progressed and he began playing guitar and bass. Music was always a great influence in his life, whether playing or just listening.

Ramon loved being outdoors, boating, fishing, even some wake-boarding with his brother! He was also always obsessed with airplanes and flight, building and flying multiple RC model planes. His wife Terry even painted a pilot figurine for one of the planes so that it had dark hair and a mustache. Just like Ramon. The boys liked going to the RC field, but I think they may have been secretly hoping for some crash action.

Ramon enjoyed staying busy and nearly always had a home project going. Anything from repainting the house (inside and out,) to installing a sprinkler system, to building a raised gazebo in the back yard, and did I mention cars? Ramon loved tinkering with cars. When he purchased his dream car (1994 Corvette convertible) Terry offered to take a pillow and blanket to him so that he could sleep in it! He was that excited.

Ramon could have a gruff exterior at times, but underneath, he had a tender spirit, a soft heart, absolutely loved making people laugh, and having a good laugh himself. If you get a chance, ask his boys about their Dad’s “J-5” moments! His laugh was infectious and he would have everyone rolling on many occasions.

Way back in those GHS school days, Ramon met the love of his life, Terry Stephens. She was quiet and a little shy, but he told her repeatedly that she “was the girl he was going to marry!” After a few years, she believed him, and they were married June 20, 1980. They raised two wonderful boys, Tony and John, and were blessed to be able to watch them grow into wonderful men with children of their own.

Ramon will be missed dearly, he was preceded in death by his father, Ramon E. Alvarado, and his first grandson, Paxton. Ramon is survived by his wife, Terry, son Tony (Kami), son John, two granddaughters, Lux and Sophia; mother, Patricia Alvarado, brother, Alex Alvarado (Robin), sister, Ana Alvarado (Janet), all of Texas; sister, Roxana Alvarado Vega, sister, Nuria Alvarado Vega, brother, Felix Alvarado Vega, all of Costa Rica; along with multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews in both the United States and Costa Rica.

Ramon never pretended to be anything he wasn’t and as his email tagline read, he was always just “keeping it real!”

A visitation for Ramon will be held Monday, February 3, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034. A committal service will occur Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034.

Serving as pallbearers are Tony Alvarado, John Alvarado, Alex Alvarado, Ryan Alvarado, Jayson Singletary and Kirk Blakesley.