EDWARD “EDDIE” RAMIREZ

1942 – 2017

Edward “Eddie” Ramirez passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 20th at the age of 74. He was born on January 25, 1942 to Edward Ramirez Sr. and Mary (Morales) Ramirez, the youngest of ten children. His father worked for the Central Traction Company as a work foreman and his mother was a homemaker. Eddie’s first few years were spent in Herald, California. After his father’s death when Eddie was seven, the family moved to Lodi near E&L Market on Central Street. Eddie attended Lodi schools, Garfield, Lincoln, Needham and was a member of the Lodi High School Class of 1961.

In 1964 he married the love of his life Sandy (nee Coldani) in Carson City, Nevada. They were together for 42 years, married for 37 years. Eddie loved good food and was fond of telling people with a “wink-and-a-smile” how he knew he was in love with Sandy, “When I saw all of the food in the pantry of the Rodeo Inn [her family’s restaurant].” Sandy was a beautician at Chiyo’s Salon at the time they were married and later worked for Lodi Unified School District as a Reading Specialist Aide at Claremont School in North Stockton. They had one son, Gregory.

Eddie was a self-made man who was respected and admired for his integrity, work ethic, street-smarts, kindness and his always natty attire. He was especially known for his sense of humor, honesty and devotion to his family. He was a prolific nicknamer, and had a nick-name for almost everyone he had met.

Eddie was a devoted husband and father who worked two jobs for many years to provide for his family. He started his retail career at Karl’s Shoes in Tracy before joining the cast of characters at Burton’s Shoe Store in Lodi, where he worked for 21 years. He had many fond memories of his friends and co-workers at Burton’s, and would laugh and smile as he told stories about all of the shenanigans and good times they had. Eddie also worked at Pacific Coast Producers, Victor Meat Co., Holtz Rubber and retired from Valley Industries in 2005.

Eddie had a life-long fascination with bicycles and owned seven at his passing. He was a familiar sight in the early mornings and early evenings in downtown Lodi during the 70’s and 80’s riding his copper-colored Schwinn Varsity 10-speed to and from work. Of late, he continued to try his various bikes and ride them against the wishes and wise advice of his son.

He had a lifelong love of basketball, and was a member of many championship City league teams. He was a consummate basketball-handler and was strategic in his play. His basketball days ended in his mid-thirties when he called it quits after playing for the Blackjacks. He spent many evenings with his son playing pick-up ball at the Blakely Park basketball courts.

After retiring, Eddie became more politically aware and involved, registering as a Democrat and voting for the first time in the 2008 Presidential election for President Obama, who he would continue to support. He became a staunch supporter of working class folk, and was a vocal advocate for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 election primaries. He was a news junkie, and at one time had subscriptions to the Lodi News Sentinel, Stockton Record, San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times. He watched Meet-the-Press every Sunday morning and missed Tim Russert.

In his later years, Eddie enjoyed having coffee at Denny’s and McDonald’s and was often seen in his silver convertible VW Bug taking Willie, his English Springer Spaniel buddy, to In-and-Out for a burger or Baskin Robbins for an ice cream. They were a charming duo about town.

He dearly missed his wife Sandy after she passed in November of 2001, and was always eager to share a story or two about their life together. He was also preceded in death by his father & mother, brothers Julian, Ted, Simon, Julian, Philip and Felix Ramirez, sister Mary ( nee Ramirez) Morris, and niece Susan Morris.

Eddie is survived by his only son, Gregory Ramirez (fiancé Rachel) of Stockton and Woodland, sisters Lena (Joe) Villanueva of Stockton and Virginia (Ron) Richards of Lodi, numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved, admired and respected by his son. He will be deeply missed.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Sunday, March 5th at son Gregory’s Stockton home. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Eddie’s name to The American Heart Association.

I love you Dad, you made a wonderful life for Mom and me, thank you…

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