Teodoro R. Ramã­Rez

The Life and Journey of Teodoro Ramirez

Teodoro Ramírez lived 90 blessed years and went to be with The Lord on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Teodoro was born to parents Diego Ramírez and Tomasa Rendon in Tecoanapa, Guerrero, Mexico.

He completed elementary school up to the 5th grade and began to work with our grandfather Diego in his retail and livestock business. Our father recalled with passion riding horses to travel from town to town as there were no paved roadways or automobiles during his childhood years. He was raised by his beloved mother, Tomasa, until she passed away at a young age. Our father lived thereafter in Mexico City and Cuernavaca. Our father proudly served in the Mexican Army completing his military service in Cuernava, Morelos, Mexico.

In the early 1950's, our father was invited to a birthday party in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, in which our mother, Evila, also attended. Even though our father was already living in the U. S., and our mother was in Mexico, their love and life together was destined to take place. They married in 1957 and immigrated to Los Angeles that same year.

While working in a Mexico City restaurant as a young man, our father learned how to make pozole, and brought that delicious, Mexican recipe to our family. My dad's pozole quickly became a sensational family tradition for many years. Family and friends cherished these celebrations and they remain, with laughter and love, embedded in our minds and hearts.

Our dad's occupations in the U. S. included farmer, mine worker, cannery worker and finally a busboy and waiter in Los Angeles. Our father worked long, hard hours supporting his wife and four children as a banquet waiter for fifty years through the Local 11 Waiter's Union in Los Angeles. Our father worked the big parties after the Academy Awards, the Grammys, and Golden Globe Awards. As children, we shouted with joy one evening when we saw our dad on national television serving dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel during the televised Gala Dinner honoring the first three men to land on the moon. He also worked in world famous restaurants such as Chasen's, Romanoff's, The Coconut Grove and The Brown Derby in Beverly Hills. Our dad met countless celebrities and political figures including Marilyn Monroe, President John F. Kennedy and JFK Junior, John Wayne, Cantinflas, President Reagan and many more.

Our father was a romantic at heart and loved classical "trio" music, danzones, Mexican ballads, "musica tropical," cumbias and much more. Our home was always filled with wonderful music which my mom complemented with her beautiful voice. Our dad loved watching boxing and soccer, making the World Cup Soccer Games and the Summer Olympics all time favorite events.

Our father was a kind, loving, humble and giving man. He will be remembered with kindness and for putting all his heart to loving and supporting his family and friends.

Our father passed away just the way he lived his life - calmly, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family. Our father is survived by his four children, Tammy, Teodoro, David and Marta, his five grandchildren (including spouses of two grandchildren), Raul, April, Carla, Andrew, Sara, Rebeca and Adelina, one daughter-in-law, Silvia, and two son-in-laws, Raul and Raymond.

Our love and gratitude to all of you now and always.

Familias Ramirez, Castro, Torres and Marr