RAYMOND E. RAMIREZ

Raymond E. (Ed) Ramirez passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family after years

of living with dementia. Born in Northern California on June 25th, 1932, he graduated

from Oroville High School in 1957. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy, serving in

the Korean War aboard the USS Boxer. Ed board-tested an F4 Phantom, earning him

the nickname “Supersonic Taco”, honoring his Mexican heritage. He later graduated

from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical

engineering. After graduating, he attended the University of Southern California where

he earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering and aerospace management.

He then worked for Edward’s Air Force Base as well as Hill Air Force Base in Utah,

where he worked on the Cruise Missle Program. Upon his retirement, he moved the

family to California where he began working for Lockheed Martin on the Skunk’s Work

program. Ed enjoyed working as a substitute mathematics teacher at Littlerock &

Rosamond High Schools during his retirement. He was a beloved teacher who spent his

lunchtime helping his students, especially his Spanish-speaking students. Ed had

always been a sports fanatic and coached his sons in hockey and baseball. His favorite

activities during retirement were hitting the golf course every day with his buddies, and

watching the LA Kings and USC Trojans sports games. Ed joins his mother Connie

McKearney, sister Mary, and youngest son Bobby. He is survived by his beloved wife of

60 years Shirley Ann, sisters Jenny and Barbara, oldest son Eddie, daughter Teresa,

granddaughters Makenna and Madison, and many others. Ed will be deeply missed as

an incredibly loving husband and father who was funny, quick-witted, and lit up any

room he was in. As Ed always said, he’s “laughing, singing, and dancing” up in heaven.