Tico Ramirez, 88, Rapid City, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Hospice House in Rapid City. His loving wife of 36 years was by his side. He loved his family beyond measure and was always sure to tell them. Tico always had a sincerely kind and welcoming greeting. He was shy and small as a child. So as an adult he was sincerely attentive of those who needed confidence and attention. He was protective and kind, resilient, humble, quiet but bold when needed. He had the best sense of humor. He was loved by so many near and far. Tico joined the Air Force football team and traveled the world. He met and married Irmgard Turner in December 1956. Irmgard had a 10 year old son, Peter, that Tico raised as his own. They divorced in 1968. During this time he was stationed in various locations including Alabama and Alaska. He was stationed in Vietnam in 1969. Serving in Rescue as a Flight Protection Supervisor and Fire Chief. He was stationed at Ellsworth Airforce Base as a Site Manager until his retirement in 1974.

While living in Rapid City, SD he met Betty Ann Havens. She had a son, Kenny and a daughter, Marla. Kenny died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 15. Tico was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in July 1974. Tico and Betty Ann married December 1974 and he became part of the Lyman/Salmo family. In December 1975 Lynette Jean was added to the family. Sadly Betty Ann passed away due to complications three days later. The girls lived with Betty’s sister Pat and Karl Carstensen in Sturgis, SD. Tico remained very close to his daughters and family and spent every minute he could with them.

He continued to stay involved in the Rapid City congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesss and helped where he could. Whether it involved being active in the ministry work, participating on local construction projects or simply helping whenever someone needed a hand, you could count on Tico to be there.

He met Debra Tipton/Wilson and her daughter Tara Wilson in Rapid City. Debbie was younger than him but he always said “age is just a number”. They married in February 1984 and Tico became part of the Tipton family. Tico and Debbie remained in Rapid City and he adopted Tara as his own. He worked for Sears and retired after 17 years. Around that time his granddaughter, Celina, came along and he gladly volunteered to babysit two days a week.

Tico is survived by his wife of 36 years Debra and daughters Marla (Travis) Williams of Brookings, South Dakota; Lynette (Jeremy) Locken of Dickinson, North Dakota; and Tara Ramirez of Rapid City, South Dakota. Grandchildren Bryce Bennett of Sturgis, South Dakota; Daryn of Spearfish, South Dakota; Celina Locken of Bottineau, North Dakota; Alayna Locken of Dickinson, North Dakota; Samuel Locken of Dickinson, North Dakota; and Keelan Ramirez of Rapid City, South Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews; father-in-law and mother-in-Law Chuck and Lois Tipton. Numerous family members spanning from the Rapid City area to Texas to Puerto Rico.

Predeceased by parents, wives Irmgard and Betty Ann, stepson Peter, Kenny Havens and other beloved family members.