Mervyn Stephyn Ramsey, 82 of Axtell, passed away June 3, 2018 in Ft. Worth.
Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Friday, June 8. 2018 at Lake Shore Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Hamilton Beeman Cemetery in Corsicana.
Visitation: 9:00 AM Friday, June 8, 2018, prior to the service.
Mervyn Stephyn Ramsey was born on November 18th, 1935 to Mervyn Lee and Edna Pauline Menasco Ramsey in Nacogdoches, Texas. As the eldest of four children, Stephyn grew up in Austin with his brother Paul, and sisters Lois and Ruth. Steve attended McCallum High School, and graduated in 1956. He married Winola June Ramsey on December 21st, 1959.
The young couple lived in Austin, where they welcomed their first two sons, Stephyn Wayne and Kenneth Mark. Steve and June continued their tradition of calling them by their middle names. The family moved to Duncanville in the early 1960’s, but returned to Austin where their son John Scott was born. He had the only distinction of going by both names.
As young boys, Steve’s sons reveled in riding bicycles that their father had custom-built for them. He taught his boys his skills, and they all enjoyed riding unique creations of their own making. His creative skills moved to woodworking, and his family appreciated many of his creations. Most of Steve’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren slept in a baby crib lovingly built by their grandfather.
Steve continued his family legacy of service to his state and country. He proudly shared the history of his grandfather, Homer Ramsey, who was one of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, and Mervyn Lee Ramsey, who served as a Representative for Panola County in the Texas Legislature from 1942 to 1945. Mervyn’s photograph, along with Steve’s, and his siblings’ still hangs in the Texas Capitol today.
Steve’s service to his country began in the Unites States Army National Guard at Camp Mabry. Early into his service, the Berlin Crisis occurred and he was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he served as a Military Police Officer in the 49th Armored Division. The Division trained for 10 months in Louisiana, but never deployed overseas. In 1968, the 49th deactivated and was reorganized into 3 separate brigades.
Steve was assigned to the 71st Airborne Brigade, and that’s when he started jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. From 1973 to 1980, he served in the 36th Airborne. He advanced in his training to Chief Warrant Officer 4, made hundreds of jumps, and became a Jump Master.
After his tour of duty, he joined the Army Reserves of the Texas National Guard. He served his country and his beloved Texas from Camp Mabry in Austin, as both a Chief Warrant Officer of the army, and a civilian working for the National Guard Technician Program. Steve retired from his civilian post in 1992, and his Warrant Officer duties in 1995.
In 1990, Steve began his life with his second wife, Frances. Along with Frances, he gained two step-children, Cindy Cantu, and Chris Dunlap and four grandchildren. Upon his retirement Steve and Frances moved to their home in Axtell, Texas.
Retirement brought Steve the opportunity to enjoy his hobbies. Steve enjoyed building furniture and decorative items for his home and loved ones. He and Frances hosted many domino and card games with friends and family at their home. His little dogs kept him very busy, and enjoyed being spoiled by his home-cooked chicken.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lois, and son Wayne. He is survived by his wife Frances, Brother Paul Ramsey, sister Ruth Thompson, sons Mark and John Ramsey, daughters-in law Pam, Brenda and Michelle Ramsey, stepdaughter Cindy Cantu, stepson Chris Dunlap and grandchildren Linda McCreight, Aaron Ramsey, Sarah Montoya, Anna Rattan, Christina Watkins, Brittany Mohrman, Megan, Trae, and Brooke Ramsey, Contessa Cerda, Melinda Monfort, Amber Dunlap, and Chris Dunlap, Jr., and eighteen great-grandchildren. He is dearly loved by all.
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
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Please accept our deepest condolences
I am deeply sorry for your family’s loss. The God of all comfort will help you to cope during this difficult time. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Steve was such a wonderful man and a loving, caring husband to Francis and a very welcome member to the Markum Family! Steve was my Brother-in-law and he lived with my family in Maryland while he worked at the Pentagon for seven months and my sons loved their Uncle Steve. It seemed every night Steve, Francis, Ronnie and I would play either cards or dominoes and when Steve got a bad hand or was loosing he would mutter “foot in a tar bucket” or “oh my aching foot”. He was a character, one that was respected by all. He was also welcomed very much in my family, the Mercer Family. Steve, I loved you like a brother and will always miss you!
I never got to meet Mr. Ramsey, but his son and my friend, Mark, honors him well by cherishing family, working hard, loving to teach and mentor., and living true to his faith in Christ. I have a feeling that if I had been able to meet him, I would have then realized how much of his dad is reflected in him. Please Mark and Brenda, accept our deepest condolances, and know that you all are loved by many, including us. We look to our Heavenly Father and Jesus, waiting at the end of the path, knowing we will be there reunited with that great throng that includes so many we have loved.
John, Mark, our deepest condolences to your families from your buds in Sabinal, Texas.