Manuel M Ramirez, Jr.

Manuel M. Ramirez, 86, passed away peacefully after a short illness in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday December 19. 2022. He was born May 22, 1936 in McNary, Arizona to Manuel and Elifonsa Montoya Ramirez, the sixth of seven children. Life wasn’t always easy, but it was always full of family, faith and love, which guided his entire life.

He met the love of his life, Viola Chavez, at a young age and on May 22, 1954, his 18^th birthday they married. Together they raised five children, continuing to focus on faith, family, honesty, and hard work as cornerstones of a happy life. 

Manuel was an extremely hard worker. Even in his teens, he would travel to Phoenix to work in the fields so he could help his family. He would take his beloved Viola on dates, always bringing back a hamburger for her sister, Sophie. Throughout his life, he worked hard to support his family, starting at an entry level job in the saw mill and working through the ranks to eventually be promoted to manager. Once the mill closed, he finished his career working for Apache County.

It's no secret that Manuel’s first love was family and his second love was sweets! His mornings always started with the newspaper, a cup of coffee and something sweet; a cookie, pie, cake, pastry, donut, anything! He enjoyed the simple things in life: visiting on the front porch with family and friends, dancing with his wife, fishing, scratcher tickets and trips to the post office. He was quick to say he didn’t watch much television, but truth be told, he enjoyed watching sports, including the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Mercury, game show network and even a Hallmark movie every now and again. 

Those who knew him best know he had a deep love for music, including Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Los Rivales, but he didn’t just enjoy listening to music, he also enjoyed singing. His children and grandchildren always knew they would receive a call on their birthday from their father/Tata serenading them with Happy Birthday!

Manuel navigated the challenges of aging with the help of his family and despite all that was thrown his way he maintained his sense of humor and bright smile that lit up a room. 

He is survived by his children, Pam DeVall, Audrey (Tim) Hutter, Deborah Ramirez, Brenda (Rocky) Forbes and Manuel (Kelli) Ramirez; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and hundreds of cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Viola, siblings, Bonifacio, Patsy, Della, Rachel, Rosa and Rosie and his granddaughter, Vanessa. 

Rosary will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow the services at St. Johns Catholic Cemetery, followed by a reception at Barth Hall.

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