We gather here today to honor and celebrate the life of George Lopez Ramirez, a man whose journey began on a warm Tuesday, the 12th of August 1930. Literally a short walk just down the road here at his mom’s home, 504 Gibson Street in the heart of Miami.

George was the son of Jorge Ramirez and Adela Lopez, immigrants from Mexico who settled in the copper mining town of Miami, Arizona, who’s families were search of hope and opportunity. Raised by a single mother during the Great Depression, George learned early on the values of strength and perseverance. As the firstborn son, he became a pillar of support for his family, carrying the weight of responsibility that would define him throughout his life. Though they had little, the family was rich in love and driven by a determination to simply survive.

His childhood was marked by the challenges of poverty and segregation. In a time without shoes, air conditioning or even consistent access to indoor plumbing, he learned to adapt, to work hard, and to find joy in the simplest of moments like climbing up a water tower with his siblings. The early years were spent between the mining towns of Miami, Ray, Sonora, Superior and Jerome, Arizona. His family moved to secure work - however they eventually settled back in Miami. At age 8 he began his formal education. Without any knowledge of English, his eldest living sister Angie taught him the one phrase he would need: “Excuse me, I have to use the restroom.”……

By the time he started school, George’s spirit had already been shaped by his family’s struggles and his early exposure to the harsh realities of life. He attended Mexican dedicated schools and dealt with racism and bigotry. As the eldest male, he helped care for his siblings in times of need. George shared a profound bond with 14-siblings, each of them holding a special place in his heart. When he was young he helped care for Isabella, Amy, Jerry, Linda, Bobby, Basil, and Benny with a dedication that went beyond mere family duties. At one point he opened a line of credit for his siblings to use at a local grocer. From an early age, he took on the role of protector and caretaker, watching over them with a quiet, steadfast love. The loss of his siblings at young ages left a lasting heartbreak. Losing Isabella (age 10) Jerry (age 16), Angie (age 28), and Ricardo (8-months) was a profound sorrow, each loss felt deeply and personally. It was a reminder that life was fragile and how important is to hold family close—a value he carried with him for the rest of his and their days.

George left school after completing eighth grade for work and to help provide for the family. For a short while he lived in Jerome for work but eventually settled back in Miami and gained employment at a local feed and grain store here in Miami. After attaining his drivers license, he hauled hay bales between the Miami and Phoenix Valley but eventually worked back at the front counter. Hard work didn’t just define his life; it became a source of pride, a testament to his resilience.

During his teenage years, George met his lifelong love, Concha Aguilar. Their connection was immediate and enduring—a bond built on shared values and the resilience that comes from overcoming adversity. They courted through their school years and eventually entered into a formal relationship.

Their love story unfolded through simple moments—local movie outings, dances, and shared dreams that grew into a lifelong partnership. On July 26, 1950, they married here in this very parish, sealing a commitment that would last a lifetime. After a small celebration, they honeymooned in Tijuana.

Even after marriage, George and Concha remained close to their younger siblings. George made it a point to bring joy to his family, especially during the holidays. One Christmas, he and Concha thoughtfully bought gifts for his siblings—candy and a toy doctor kit for his sisters/brothers. In a time when Christmas presents were rare, these simple yet heartfelt gestures left a lasting impression, cherished as a testament to George’s love and generosity.

About a year later, George and Concha welcomed their first child, Patricia Diane, and the family they had dreamed of was beginning to take shape. When George’s elder sister Angie and her husband encouraged them to join them in California, Concha hesitated, not wanting to leave the only home she’d ever known but with courage and hope, George and Concha packed their car, embarking on this new journey together. Settling in Los Angeles and with this help of his brother-in-law Ramon Martinez also known as Babe, George found work as a machinist/de-burrer, at E.B. Wiggins and their dreams of building a life together blossomed.

Just before the birth of their second child, George “Mike,” George and Concha—known affectionately as Connie—made a momentous decision. They purchased a brand new home on Shadyside Avenue in Whittier, California. The home was originally intended for George’s sister Angie and her husband “Babe,” but they fell in love with a different house and insisted George and Connie make the house their own. Little did they know, this home would become the heart of their family, a place that would hold countless memories and grow into a cherished foundation for their immediate and extended family for the next four decades.

In the years that followed, their family grew with the addition of two more children—John Anthony in 1956 and Catherine Theresa in 1961. Through both joys and challenges, their home on Shadyside remained a sanctuary, filled with love and resilience—values they lovingly passed down to their children.

On Friday evenings, while Connie was at work, George would load the kids into the back seat of his Pontiac Grand Prix and take them to the drive-in theater. As a Catholic, he observed the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays, opting to buy bean tostadas for everyone. The kids, however, had their hearts set on shrimp and fries—but George reminded them it was too expensive. Typically the morning after, he would discover that the kids had secretly slid the tostadas under the front seat.

George and Concha placed a strong emphasis on faith and education, sending their children to Catholic school to nurture both. They encouraged their children to embrace their heritage with pride while ensuring they felt a sense of belonging and dignity that George and Concha themselves had not always experienced. Having faced segregation and discrimination in their own youth, they were determined to shield their children from those same hardships. They instilled not only a strong sense of identity but also resilience and compassion for others.

Around 1955, George’s life took an unexpected turn as he reconnected with his father, Jorge, his uncle Pete (a few years older than George), and other Ramirez relatives. After years apart, the bond between father and son grew. From time-to-time his father would visit the Shadyside home, while donning his signature Stetson-like hat, and could be seen mowing the lawn and visiting with his family. Through these family connections, George was also introduced to three more siblings on his father’s side, Vicky and Esperanza, Jorge Jr. and numerous Glendale cousins. The extended family gatherings brought laughter, stories, and shared memories, and George embraced these new relationships, grateful to have his family closer.

In the 1960s, George became a devoted Dodgers fan, sharing his love for the game with his children, father-in-law, and extended family. His passion for the Dodgers lasted a lifetime—he passed away just a week and a half before the team claimed another World Series win.

George’s dedication at work also shone through. Starting as a de-burrer, he steadily worked his way up to a Turret Lathe machinist and eventually a supervisors a role he took great pride in, always committed to improving his skills and supporting his family.

The Shadyside Avenue home wasn’t just a sanctuary for George, Concha, and their children; it became a refuge for extended family making the same journey from Arizona to California. Relatives often stayed with them, siblings like Linda, Basil, Bobby, Benny, and numerous Aguilar brothers and sisters. Each one brought their own stories, hopes, and dreams, filling the house with lively conversation and the warm aroma of Concha’s cooking. She made traditional dishes—tamales, menudo, and more—that turned each meal into a celebration of family and heritage. Hard to believe the house only had 1 bathroom. As one of the first families on the block with a color TV, George and Concha’s home became a neighborhood hub. Friends, siblings, and neighbors would gather to watch Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Even local kids would stop by in their robes, turning the house on Shadyside Avenue into a lively social spot. Shortly after, George’s new Packard-Bell Hi-Fi Console stereo became another draw, with neighborhood kids, friends, siblings, and aunts/uncles coming together to enjoy music, laughter, and conversation.

As George and Concha grew older, their personalities and roles within the family deepened, each becoming a cherished figure in their own way. They were no longer just husband and wife or father and mother—they became beloved grandparents, ushering in a new chapter with the arrival of their grandchildren: Marylisa, Michael, Jason, and Carrie. George and Concha’s retirement marked the end of their working years—George from EB. Wiggins and Concha from Sears—but not from their role as the heart of the family. They embraced this time, child caring for others children like John and Mary Weaver who became an integral part of their lives. In the 1980’s and 1990’s I remember my grandfather having one of the first Camcorders, VCR’s, Stereo entertainment centers with a record player, cassette, and CD player. George’s love for music ran deep and remained a constant throughout his life. Always fascinated by new technology, he made sure his home was equipped with the latest devices to enjoy his favorite tunes.

In 1990, a milestone they had worked towards their entire lives arrived—they paid off their Shadyside home. With this achievement came a new decision: to return to Arizona, the place that had always held their roots and their history. They sold the Shadyside home and moved back to Arizona, purchasing a home in the beautiful Six Shooter Canyon area of Globe. There, they continued to fill their home with love and laughter, hosting gatherings and parties that kept family and friends close.

George and Concha also embraced the joys of travel, exploring new places together and creating beautiful memories. They visited family in Texas, ventured to Tijuana to visit George’s family and enjoyed the stunning beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Their adventures also took them to Three Rivers to visit former Whittier neighbors and to Laughlin, Nevada, where they enjoyed the lively casinos and river views. Each trip was a new chapter in their journey, filled with shared experiences, and the excitement of seeing the world together.

In 2004, Concha’s health began to decline, but George never left her side. True to the vows he had made so many years before, he cared for her with unwavering devotion, taking on the cooking, cleaning, and everything she needed with a quiet strength and love. As her condition progressed, George himself fell ill and was diagnosed with cancer. Yet his resilient spirit shone through—his doctors, amazed by his strength, noted that his bloodwork was remarkably like that of a much younger man, giving him a strong chance of recovery. Eventually, the couple made the difficult decision to sell their home in Globe and relocate to Coolidge, Arizona, to be closer to medical care and their daughter Cathy.

Against the odds, George overcame his illness, and in 2010, he and Concha celebrated an incredible 60 years of marriage. It was a moment of joy and gratitude for a lifetime of love shared. Later that same year, though, the Lord called Concha home. George was devastated; she had been his partner in everything, and life without her felt incomplete. Before she passed, he had quietly whispered to her, “Be sure to come back and get me real soon.” But God had his own timing.

After Concha’s passing, George lived with his daughter Pasty and eventually his daughter Cathy and son-in-law Bryan. He kept himself connected to family and friends, visiting his siblings, spending time with his dear friend Jimmy and Frank while making regular visits to the cemetery with Cathy’s dog, Pebbles. Then, in 2015, life presented him with yet another challenge—cancer returned. But George, in true form, fought back with courage and resilience and beat it a second time.

Later in life, George had the joy of attending the weddings of his grandchildren and was blessed with five great-grandchildren. He especially cherished his visits with his little great-grandkids in the years leading up to his passing, as each one held a special place in his heart.

When I think of my Grandfather’s life, I think of a story of quiet strength, of love, and dedication to his family, and of faith - and picky eating too (thanks Grandma Connie). He was a man who weathered life’s storms with grace and a smile and taught us the power of resilience. Though he is no longer with us in body, his spirit lives on in the lives of his children, younger siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and all who had the privilege to know him. I believe his love and dedication to his family can be seen by those who were named after him. His son George “Mike,” nephews David-George Garcia and George Yniguez. 

The day before he passed, I spoke to him on the telephone. He mumbled “Hi Mijo” (A phrase I usually didn’t care for but in my older years - look forwarded to hearing). I told Grandpa I just wanted to say hi and that we are thinking of him and praying for him and that I would see him soon.” He mumbled back “ok.”

His life journey was a testament to strength, love, and faith—a life well-lived, inspiring all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Thank you, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend, for sharing your life with us. From all of us, you will be missed but never forgotten. Until we meet again.

Sunrise:August 12, 1930
SunsetOctober 15, 2024.

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