A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, Winford Eugene Ramer Jr., 62, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away at his home March 22, 2014 with his wife present. He had bravely battled liver cirrhosis and kidney failure. He was born June 15, 1951 in Orlando, Florida and resided in Marietta, Georgia for the past 33 years, having moved from Orlando in 1975 to Stone Mountain, GA. He graduated from Oakridge High School in 1969, which he frequently attributed to his then girlfriend, Linda, who did his homework for him. They were married in 1973.
Gene worked as a welder, a carpenter, a truck driver, and in cross-connection control and meter repair for Hersey Products before taking a position with the Cobb County Water System in June 1980. He moved up into management, and retired from the county in April 2009. He was a member of Olive Springs Baptist Church, the Scottish Rite Temple, and a member of the Stone Mountain Masonic Lodge 729, 33rd degree. He was an avid outsdoorsman, and held memberships with several bass fishing clubs. West Cobb Bass Club and Bass Anglers of Cobb County are the names that most frequently appear on his tournament trophies. Gene loved hunting, fishing, and being outdoors (not necessarily in that order). He was the ultimate survivalist, always prepared and trying to make sure everyone else was prepared and had what was needed. He coached Justin’s baseball teams, yet he was still man enough to take Jenni to the father-daughter dance. He was known for his baby back ribs, and never would reveal his “secret” bar-b-que sauce recipe. “He had utmost respect for his family, and always put himself second. That’s just the kind of man he was,” his son, Justin, said of him. After he got sick, he had such longsuffering and patience. There are not many people who could go through the medical procedures and the pain that he endured so patiently. In his last days and nights, he still did all that he could to take care of his family, and that’s what really matters.
He is survived by many people who love him, including: his wife of 41 years, Linda Mead Ramer of Marietta; daughter Jennifer Ramer of Johns Creek; son Justin Ramer and his wife Mandy of Marietta; grandson Rhett Fleeman; mother Nancy Yates Jones and husband Richard of St, Cloud, Florida; brother Jerry and wife Tena of Lake Alfred, Florida; and many loving aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Winford Eugene Ramer Sr.
The family will receive friends at Olive Springs Baptist Church on Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“He fought a good fight, he kept the faith, he won the race” -2 Timothy 4:7. Memorials may be made in Gene’s honor to Olive Springs Baptist Church, 1528 Austell Rd., Marietta, GA 30008.
