Obituary – Donald W. Ramsey
Donald Wayne Ramsey, age 90, passed away Friday, May 1, 2026, at home surrounded by family. Don was born July 13, 1935, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, to Vernon and Elizabeth Ramsey.
Don’s first love was Jesus, who saved him at 14 years old. His next love was his faithful wife of 69 years, Kay, then their four boys.
Don had many jobs during his life. His employers respected his ability to work and to get along with others very well. Don worked in a factory in Effingham, Illinois, for five years making cook stoves. He worked for his father-in-law, drilling oil wells in Ohio. He also worked on new road construction in Missouri. He sometimes chose to be self-employed. Van Smith hired Don to manage his Houston location to buy posts and logs, run the sawmill and treating plant. Van Smith was very nice to work for. Coy Scott of Scott Materials asked Don to come work for him. Later, he worked for Bob Roper at Timber Town. His last job was working at J.L. Friend Lumber as a Yard Foreman. Don stayed 34 years at Friend Lumber and retired at age 81. He made many friends; some were more like family than just friends.
Don’s hobbies included working and riding horses. He rode in parades and shows throughout the area anytime he could. He received many ribbons and trophies for his talent of training and showing his horses.
Don has been a member of the Boone Creek Baptist Church for over 50 years and a longtime member of the Missouri Foxtrotting Association.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, (Robert) Vernon and Elizabeth Ramsey; brother, Dale Ramsey; son, Andy Ramsey; great-great-granddaughter, Cadence Melton; sister-in-law, Mickey Block; and brother-in-law, Butch Hall.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Kay; his sons, Jerry, Curt (Julia), Kent (Billie), daughter-in-law, Ronda Ramsey, all of Licking; brother-in-law, Phillip Block of Rinard, Illinois; ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandsons.
A visitation for Don will take place Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Boone Creek Baptist Church. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow in Boone Creek Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfh.net. Arrangements are entrusted to Fox Funeral Home.
