Sr. Andres Esquer Ramirez

The heart and soul of the Ramirez family, Andres Esquer Ramirez Sr., husband, father, brother, and tata, also known as Andy, earned his angel wings on Friday, July 21, 2023. Andy was 76 years old. He was a beloved man in his family and throughout the community. Andy is an Arizona native born on December 2, 1946, to Margarito and Maria Ramirez. He grew up in the Harmon Park neighborhood attending Grant School and Lowell School. He went on to attend Phoenix Union High School, where he was a proud Coyote, class of ’65. This is where he met his high school sweetheart Inez Medina attending their senior prom together. They shared a special bond for 56 years of marriage as soulmates. Andy and Inez married 3 days prior to his service in the Army when he was sent to the Vietnam War. He served in the 244th Aviation Company at Can Tho Air Base near the Mekong Delta as a communications specialist from 1966-1968. He continued his service to his country in the Army National Guard. He was an avid member of the American Legion Post 41 and the VFW.

Back in Phoenix, Inez welcomed their first daughter Rosemary in 1967 while Andy was still in Vietnam. When Andy was honorably discharged from the Army they settled in East Phoenix where Andy and Inez started their family. Andy knew the importance of education and earned his AA degree and attended Arizona State University. He got a job with ADOT and enjoyed working in the field of traffic signals, often tinkering with wires and carrying around his tool case wherever he went.

His family was his number one priority. Andy was a loving father as his children grew, coaching little league and softball games for his children and their friends in the Crockett School neighborhood. He was a father figure and mentor to many that knew him as a humble and kind man.

He continued his career with the City of Tempe often working at the Arizona Cardinals and ASU games as a Traffic Signal Supervisor where he retired after 35 years of public service. In his retirement, Andy enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and Inez, traveling and exploring life together as they grew older. He enjoyed watching and cheering on his hometown teams; the Suns, Cardinals, Sun Devils, and Diamondbacks. He was also an advocate for Veterans, often going to the Veterans Administration where he helped young and old vets with their benefits and provided a listening ear when they were having difficulty transitioning to civilian life.

Andy truly brought his family their American Dream from his humble beginnings as a Mexican-American man coming from the barrio. He instilled the importance of education with his children with each one graduating from a college/university. His legacy and his values continue with his grandchildren as they pursue their education. Andy is survived by his wife Inez, son Andy Jr., daughters Lorie Ann and Angelina, and joined his daughter in heaven who preceded him in death, Rosemary. His sons-in-law, Scott and Oscar, and his daughter-in-law Norma. He has 3 beloved sisters, Josefine, Aurora, and Connie. His 6 grandkids include, Ryan, Larissa, Mia, Liana, Rosabelle, and Oscar Jr. He will be dearly missed as the pillar of his family and his community. You are very loved and will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace.

A visitation service will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, Arizona 85018.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Basilica at 231 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Arizona 85004.

Burial to follow at St. Francis Cemetery located at 2033 N 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

Reception following burial at St. Mary’s Basilica reception hall located at 231 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Arizona 85004.