Born on the family farm near Achille, Oklahoma on April 13, 1936 Wendell Ray Ramsey began his lives journey. The oldest son of Quan and Edna Ramsey he followed the family to Arizona in 1955, after graduation from Achille High School. When he wasn’t working for Kennecott Copper, ASARCO and Cypress as a heavy equipment operator he enjoyed outdoor sports of hunting and fishing with friends and family. A race car enthusiast he raced stock cars for many years at the ¼ mile track in Globe, AZ. A talented metal sculpture he made welded figures and furniture using horseshoes, rebar, nuts and bolts. After retiring from the copper mines he and his wife Joan split their time between their homes in Mesa, AZ and Showlow, AZ. They enjoyed riding ATV’s, playing cards and visiting with family and friends. Known by many nicknames Wendell (Ray, Bud, Moe) was seldom ever scene without one of his many ball caps. Wendell left this life on a new journey, guided by God, on January 27, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife Joan, sisters Wanda (Roy) Ellis of Durant, OK., Sandra (Ted) Wade of Yuma, AZ., Mary (Al) Aring of Phoenix, AZ., brothers Millard Ramsey of Kelvin, AZ., Dale (Ann) Ramsey of Kearny, AZ., and Ronald Ramsey of Wyoming, son Robert (Amanda)Ramsey of Sherman, TX., daughters Jody (Marlon) Ramsey Las Vegas, NV., Doreen (John) of Mesa, AZ., Rochelle (Rick) of Mesa, AZ., 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services are being handled by Mountain View Funeral Home in Mesa, AZ. January 31, 2012.
Celebrating 75 years of serving our community