Antonio Ramirez, Jr.
Antonio Ramirez Jr, 42, passed away August 7, 2020. Tony was proud to be a Santa Barbara native born to Antonio Ramirez (father) and Oralia Ramirez (mother) and big sister Marisa Ramirez Torres.
As a child Tony could be found breakdancing for a crowd, playing Nintendo or Legos, or playing on Papa Jose’s truck. He was very close to his sister and they were often asked if they were twins with their matching red hair. He loved his days on the football field playing YFL and for the SB Dons in high school.
After graduating from Santa Barbara High School in 1996, Tony moved to San Luis Obispo to later graduate from California Polytechnic University and followed his love of construction in a career as a project manager. He worked on many popular SB spots such as the Granada Theater as well as working in the Bay Area for several years.
Tony married Kari Van Bebber Ramirez in 2010 and was the proud father of Jayce Joaquin Ramirez. Tony was the best dad in the world and loved spending time with his son and wife. Picnics in the park, beach trips, bike rides, weekend getaways, family dinners on the grill, building Legos and family movie nights were just a few special memories the family will cherish.
Running, biking, hiking, watching sports (Go Raiders!), trying new restaurants and recipes, reading and always keeping up on the newest and hottest music artists also brought Tony joy.
At work Tony was described as more than a co-worker. He was a friend and had strong relationships with those around him. He had a quick sense about computer programs, a stubborn streak about things he was passionate about and was a dedicated and caring team member.
Tony valued friendships from childhood to high school, college to the present day. His friends knew he would give the shirt off his back for them and counted on him to always be up for anything.
It’s impossible to capture someone’s energy in written words. It wasn’t only his red hair that made Tony stand out. It was his bright smile and easy laugh that filled a room as quickly as he entered it. He had a tender heart not everyone knew, a contagious skip in his step and deepness in his being he held close. His special soul now lies peacefully in God’s hands and his spirit in our hearts.
Also known as Papucho, Red, Red Dog, T, Nino, and daddy, he will be lovingly missed by his son Jayce Joaquin Ramirez and wife, Kari Ramirez. Along with Oralia Ramirez (mother), Marisa Torres (sister), Antonio Ramirez (father) and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and co-workers.