Ramon Hoagland

Ramon was born in Sheldon Ill. He grew up and graduated high school with the same group of 25 students that attended with him through those years. At age 12, you could find him mowing lawns, hunting squirrels and trapping muskrats, or roller-skating with his parents and friends. His height was to his advantage when playing basketball, which he also engaged in. He claimed to like cars and girls exactly in that order.

After graduation he took up an apprenticeship in machinery. From that start, he found his career. He married Carolyn Tuttle in 1961. A daughter Lisa was born in 1962 and a son, Craig, in 1964. They moved to Kokomo, IN in 1967. Ramon worked in tool and die shops there. By 1970, the family moved to Colorado where Ramon worked at Rocky Flats and tool shops. He rounded out his career working for IBM for 12 years.

He became a cycler, riding the Trail Ridge 100-mile ride three times. Frequently, he could be found riding all over the Foothills.

He was divorced in 1979. Hiking, biking, and playing racquetball took much of his time. Then Rita came on the scene in 1984. They dated (even took dancing lessons). In 1986, they married. Friends said, "it was about time."

Ramon took early retirement in 1995. He and Rita opened R & R Machining. He loved being his own boss, and owning his own home. In 1991 he and Rita closed R & R while he continued making model engines. Some are on display at the Miniature Engineering Museum in Carlsbad, California. He enjoyed helping people with small machinery repairs.

Ramon struggled with Parkinson's disease and later CLL. Treatments weren't effective. He died under Hospice care on December 27, 2025, with Rita at his side.

Ramon was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Olga Mary-lynn, and his son Craig.

He is survived by his wife Rita, his daughter Lisa, grandsons Zachery (Diane) Tanner and their mom Susan (John). His great grandchildren are Meladie, Mace and baby girl to be.