Obituary of Lloyd Erlin Ramey

Lloyd Erlin Ramey, age 60, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2014, surrounded by his wife and children at his home in Simi Valley, CA. Born in Columbus, OH on September 15, 1953, his family moved to Buena Park, CA in 1962. He attended school in Santa Monica where, in junior high school, he met his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Margie Robin Brown. They married on September 21, 1974 and after 20 years, divorced on October 31, 1994. They continued to be supportive of each other, even spending their anniversary together almost every year of their ten-year separation. In late 2004, they found their way back into each other’s hearts, and after spending the next nine years of their lives together, remarried on December 18, 2013. Lloyd enlisted in the United States Navy in 1975 serving as an Operations Specialist on the guided missile cruiser USS Sterett CG-31 and deployed to the Western Pacific serving in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin. During an 8-month deployment, he visited the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Korea, and Japan and completed the WESTPAC tour in May of 1976 prior to returning to San Diego. He completed his tour aboard the USS England CG-22 guided missile cruiser and honorably discharged in 1979. He went on to work as an operator and cable splicer for General Telephone of California for twelve years, after which he worked as a general contractor for The Newcombs, Inc., Giftware, Wholesale & Retail Distribution. Relocating to Thousand Oaks in 1986, and later to Simi Valley in Ventura County, Lloyd became actively involved in various community groups, events, and other activities. He was a charter member of the Simi Valley Kiwanis Online Club, a volunteer advisor with the SimiSu Aktion Club program for adults with disabilities, a volunteer at Rancho Simi Recreation & Park Department’s Alternative Program, as well as a volunteer and coach with Special Olympics Ventura County. Lloyd created and instant bond with the children and adults in the special needs community and always gave freely of his time to guide and mentor them. Candy fundraisers, Christmas caroling at the Town Center, “Relay for Life,” food drives, high school beautification projects, & serving meals to the homeless, were just a few of the events in which he encouraged the various groups to participate and appreciate the feeling of helping others. He also enjoyed chaperoning pool parties, dances, field trips and other park & rec events in the special needs community. The many years spent volunteering for Special Olympics Ventura County was one of his most profound ventures. Lloyd was an exemplary coach for the Athletics, Bowling, and Bocce teams in Simi Valley, always encouraging his athletes to reach their potential and to take pride in all of their achievements. Admired and respected by all of his athletes, his dedication in helping raise money and awareness by participating in the yearly “Tip a Cop” program, the annual “Gator Run,” “Relay for Life,” and serving as a Global Messenger Coach, was an inspiration to many. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Margie Brown Ramey, daughter, Shannen Marie Ramey, sons Todd Ashley and Trevor Matthew Lloyd Ramey, and granddaughter Sydney Robin Ramey Dela Cruz, all of Simi Valley, and his sister Rebecca ‘Becky’ Ramey of Lancaster. He is preceded in death by his precious baby daughter, Nicole Ramey, his mother, Cellastein ‘Sally’ & father, Milton Edward Ramey, and his brother Milton ‘Eddie’ Ramey Jr. A celebration of ‘Coach Lloyd’s’ life was held for Special Olympic athletes, their families, and friends at the Brunswick Zone in the Lounge in Simi Valley on Tuesday, September 22. Many of the athletes spoke of how one of their favorite coaches supported and encouraged them and taught them the true meaning of the Special Olympics motto, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” A memorial celebration for family and longtime friends will be held on Saturday, October 4th, at the home of Debbie and Humphry Sumner. Please RSVP to xwench@aol.com or call 805-582-4909 if you plan to attend this memorial in order to receive the location details. *** Our family would like to extend our profound love and thanks to all of our friends and family for your support, kind words, prayers, hugs, love, well wishes, and the many pizzas and subway sandwiches provided along our journey. We have also been lucky to reconnect and keep in touch with many friends through Facebook over the past few years. You have reached out to us with words of wisdom and support, and our family is honored to have you all in our lives again. “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt. Our hearts are full…. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Kaiser Permanente Hospital Oncology Department, Woodland Hills, and Dr. Elizabeth Krecker, the doctors, nurses, and staff of the 4th floor who always went the extra mile to make our family feel special and comfortable during our many visits. In addition, a very heartfelt thank you to the members of our Kaiser Hospice team who showed so much respect and dignity to Lloyd and our family during our last days together. You truly made a lasting impact on our family… In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Coach Lloyd’s memory to, Ventura County Special Olympics, 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 206, Ventura, CA 93001, or contact Area Director Peggi Preston directly at 805-650-7717.