Gilbert Ramos Jr.

Gilbert was born in Nogales, Arizona to Susana CossRamos and Gilberto Estrada Ramos. He moved to Tucson at the age of one and remained in Tucson until his death. He was raised in Barrio Hollywood where he attended Manzo Elementary School. During his elementary school days, he had a newspaper route and during summers he would pick cotton in the fields of Marana with his uncle. 

An avid sports lover, he played in after-school sports at John Spring Jr. High School then at Tucson High School.  As a Tucson High Badger, he experienced a winning season in football when the Badgers won the State Championship in 1970.  Gilbert was inducted into the THS Hall of Fame in 2019.

Gilbert attended Northern Arizona University on a full football scholarship from 1971-1976 graduating with a degree in Education. During high school and college, Gilbert spent his summers working at Rice Plumbing Company, established by Leo C. Rice in 1946. After graduating from NAU he decided to continue with Rice Plumbing because he loved being outdoors and working with his hands.  At Rice Plumbing he advanced from laborer to plumber, then manager, estimator and finally in 1985 he purchased the company.  At the age of 16, Gilbert never imagined that the company would one day have his name. Rice Plumbing changed its name to Ramos Plumbing in 2013. He was a longtime member of the VIP business breakfast club.

Gilbert married his high school sweetheart Carmen Odilia “Dilly” Ramos in 1974. They had three children Katrina Nicole Ramos (Kevin Brim), Geraldo Martin “Lalo” Ramos (Merlen) and Peter Gilbert Ramos. Gilbert leaves behind the three shining bright lights of his life, his grandchildren Aaron Justin Ramos, Capri Carmen Brim and Caden James Brim. A true gentleman with a pure heart, he always put his family first.

Gilbert is also survived by his 98-year-old father, Gilberto Ramos, Sr., 4 siblings, nieces, nephews, Godchildren and a large extended family.

In addition to his family, highlights of his life were attending the Indy 500, attending Game 7 of the World Series in 2001 when Randy Johnson led the Diamondbacks to a win over the New York Yankees, accidentally meeting Michael Jackson in a line at Disneyland, traveling to Hawaii with his NAU football team and building his wife and children their dream home. 

Gilbert lived a full life, embraced, and overcame many obstacles and always had a smile and a handshake ready for people he met.  A man of strong faith, before dying he stated “I want to go with God. I hope I make it.”  We believe that he made it.

My darling, until our next embrace, I love you to infinity.