Inspiration for the Miguel and Josefina Ramos & Family Memorial Fund
Mike Ramos was many things, but he knew that the education he missed out on in his own youth was THE pathway for success in life and career that he wished for his family, so he told Becky, Sam, and Mickey that they were going to go to college from the time they were knee-high to a grasshopper! Fina graduated from high school in the middle of the Great Depression and was unable to attend college as she had to help support her family, but she felt the same way. Grades were particularly important to Mike & Fina for their family … they reviewed every report card and dutifully compensated their children for “A’s”, starting at nickels and worked up through the denominations over the years.

Mike and Fina always took immense pride in the personal, educational, and professional accomplishments of their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. A particular highlight was Sam being named as the 1974 Valedictorian at Austin High School . . . mirroring Fina’s similar accomplishment at Bowie High School for her senior class! Carrying on the “pay for performance” focus, Mike & Fina presented a very generous gift to each grandchild as they graduated from high school to help pay for college. So, to college the Ramos Family went, and they earned fabulous degrees, many in the STEM areas before it was popular . . . earned by their children and eight oldest grandkids are: 13 Bachelor’s Degrees, One Master’s Degree and Three Doctorate Degrees – DDS, JD, and PhD. The Ramos Family Fund has been established to carry on Mike & Fina’s focus on the impact of a quality education for all children!

Josefina Velasquez Ramos, 1918-2007 Josefina Ramos
Josefina Velasquez Ramos, 88, passed away on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at the William Beaumont Army Medical Hospital, El Paso, TX after a 21-year battle with cardiac disease. She was born on November 26, 1918 in El Paso to Albino and Francisca Velasquez as the fourth of ten children and graduated from Bowie High School as valedictorian of the January Class of 1937. She worked in her family’s grocery store, at Woolworth’s, served as an optometric assistant and was a Federal employee at William Beaumont before starting her family. A devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister, she was ever attending to the needs of others.

Miguel Ramos Miguel Garcia Ramos, 1921-2014
Miguel (Mike) Garcia Ramos, 93, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, November 16, 2014, in El Paso. A resident of El Paso for nearly 70 years, Miguel (Mike) was born the sixth of nine children on April 15, 1921, in Toyah, Texas to Gabino and Jesusita (Garcia) Ramos. Growing up on the family ranch, he learned to rope and break horses, milk cows and ride the range – he was a true cowboy. He took on family responsibility early at age 15 when his father died and helped support his family after that. Mike proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII in Sicily and North Africa for four straight years without leave. He followed that by his work and retirement from the Department of Defense at Ft. Bliss after over 28 years of employment. His military experience proved to be a defining moment of his life as he enjoyed telling stories about his service in WWII, the pyramids in Egypt and playing baseball. Over the years, he enjoyed watching LA Dodgers baseball and Dallas Cowboys football, walking, social time at the local Senior Center and nickel bingo at Sunridge Assisted Living. He volunteered at his various parishes for over 70 years and took great pride in the personal, educational, and professional accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. The Greatest Generation, Brokaw wrote, “it is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced.” He argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the “right thing to do. This quote personified Mike in all he did.

Nicolas A Ramos, 1990-2014 Nic Ramos
Nicolas (Nic) Ariel Ramos, 24, of Duncanville, TX passed away on Monday December 22, 2014 in his Austin apartment. Nic leaves behind a large, loving family, an adoring fiancée, and many friends and colleagues whom he inspired with his love and his light. Nic graduated from Prince of Peace Community School in 2005 and Bishop Dunne High School in 2009, where he met his fiancée, Cecilia Hernández. Together, they attended St. Edwards University in Austin where Nic graduated Cum Laude in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology with an Athletic Training emphasis. During his time at St. Ed’s, he was actively involved in campus ministry and student life and was a student athletic trainer for multiple sports teams. Following graduation, he worked in the athletic departments of the University of Texas at Arlington and Stanford University before taking on roles as a personal fitness trainer in Dallas and Austin. Nic was a keen advocate of education and was applying for a master’s program in his field when his life was suddenly cut short. Nic’s fierce love for God and family was clear in the way he carried himself, the way he treated others, and the way he respected and cared for Cecilia. He was organized, dedicated, goofy, thoughtful, selfless, generous, and constantly strove to better himself. As a lifelong athlete, Nic found his calling in inspiring others to live a healthy, balanced life. Nic’s bright smile, smooth dance moves, and kind heart will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

She knew nutrition played a key role in contributing to a healthy mind and body of our children and youth. They are more alert and have a better memory. They also can process information faster and have more positive behavior.

Marjorie enjoyed feeding kids healthy, whole foods in groups, with families and at church gatherings. She often cooked a pot of chili or baking cookies to share with the kids. Her food was simple, delicious, and homemade with real ingredients and lots of love. She understood that nutritious food provided the energy to grow, feel well, be active, stay healthy and learn. She made sure that kids in her community were well-nourished.

The Marjorie Helen Orner Farley Memorial Fund helps to ensure that children, youth, and their families have access to healthy food during times of crisis.