Pedro Juan Velez-Ramirez

Pedro Juan Velez-Ramirez was called to his heavenly home on September 26, 2018. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 8:30am to 12:30pm at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. At 12:30, a Funeral Service will be held and interment will follow at DFW National Cemetery.

Pedro Juan Velez Ramirez was born on May 12, 1946 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Carmen Maria Ramirez and Pedro Juan Velez, Sr. He spent his entire childhood on the island, raised primarily by his mother and his aunt and uncle, Catalina and Julio Benitez.

At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army where he became a communications specialist. On April 1, 1970, Pedro was deployed to Vietnam, where he served a total of 7 months and 20 days as a combat soldier on the front lines of the Vietnam War. During his time in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, a United States decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. After his time in Vietnam, Pedro remained in the United States Army until April 26, 1973, when he was honorably discharged as a SP5 to return home to Puerto Rico to care for his mother.

On the island, Pedro was blessed to raise three beautiful daughters - Geisha Angela, Ailyne Griselle, and Aixa Ellise - with his first wife, Maria. After the family moved to Texas, he was able to reconnect with his oldest daughter, Marie “Meche” De Jesus. The transition to Texas was hard at first, but eventually Pedro found work with the United States Post Office as a mail clerk, where he would continue to work for 17 years before retiring with 25 total years of United States Government Service.

In 1994, Pedro met the love of his life, Alicia Torrales. They quickly fell in love and married in 1996 in a small ceremony. Through the marriage, Pedro gained three loving stepchildren, John Feliciano, Luis Feliciano, and Sandra Jacquez. He and Alicia remained happily married for 22 years, watching their family grow and enjoying having their loved ones around. At the time of his passing, the couple had 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom they loved dearly.