Jose Maria "Chema" Crispin Ramon

Jose Maria “Chema” Crispin Ramón

Chema Ramón, 88, was born on October 25, 1937, in Laredo, Texas, and peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his family on Monday, July 13, 2026.

 Chema grew up in Laredo where he graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1957. One of the highlights of his high school days was the opportunity to play basketball and serve as captain of the team his senior year. Chema paused his college career after his first year at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio to enlist in the United States Army. After serving as a medic at Fort Bragg, North Carolina for 3 years, he returned to San Antonio where he worked at Southwest Research Institute while he continued his college studies at St. Mary’s University, graduating in 1970. 

Chema’s lifelong romance with the love of his life, Leonor (Nono) Solís Ramón, began when they went on an arranged date to the St. Augustine Knights’ Ball while Chema was on Christmas break from the Army in 1961. They married in Laredo in 1963 and were blessed with two daughters, María Elena (Mena) and Maria Antonietta (Tita). Nono and Chema spent their early married years in San Antonio but decided to move back home to Laredo in 1971 so their daughters could grow up in the loving community of Laredo just as they had.

Chema was the proud owner of the Amistad Machine Shop during his first years back in Laredo and concluded his career working at Laredo Junior College. During retirement, Chema continued to assist the community by teaching English as a second language and volunteering at Casa de Misericordia with Nono. He and Nono had wonderful travel adventures during his retirement and spent much time enjoying the company of their daughters and grandchildren, collecting clocks and antiques, and maintaining a beautiful garden. 

Chema was the rock of his family, providing wisdom, support, and guidance throughout his life, and leading by example. He was the epitome of a man of peace and kindness and always marveled at the beauty and intricacy of nature. 

Chema loved his wife dearly. When you saw Chema and Nono together, there was no doubt about their love and devotion. They were a very special and loving couple that shared everything and enjoyed being in each other’s company until his very last days. On June 1, 2026, they were blessed to celebrate 63 years of marriage.

Chema’s daughters were the apple of his eye. He always had their well-being uppermost on his list of priorities and endeavored to give them all the love, support, and education they needed so that they could grow to be strong, faithful, and independent women. He never failed to attend one of their sporting or other school events, regardless of the location, and he served on the St. Augustine High School PTA during the transition of the school from the downtown location to the current location on Galveston Street. 

Chema was a man of strong faith in the Lord. He spent many years serving with the Cursillo movement alongside Nono, and they were active parishioners of San Agustín Cathedral and, after moving from downtown Laredo, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. 

Chema was a talented woodworker, machinist, clock collector, and general jack of all trades. He was also an amazing gardener and took great pleasure in spending time keeping his garden looking its best. Chema loved spending time outdoors and basking in the beauty of nature. Vacations to the mountains with Nono, the girls, and his brother’s family were the highlights of his summers. His vacation goals were to travel to places with cooler weather than Laredo’s and to expose his daughters to the many places, peoples, and cultures outside of Laredo. 

Chema was preceded in death by his parents, Rodolfo M. Ramón and Maude Dominguez Ramón, his brother and sister-in-law, Rodolfo S. Ramón and Delia Ramón, and his grandsons, Dante, Tomás, and Domenico. He is survived by his wife and his daughters, Mena (Pete Gallego) and Tita (Oscar Vela, Jr.), brother-in-law Jose Angel Solís (John Solís), grandchildren Gabriela Isabel Doll (Lyell) and Nicolás Miguel Gallego, and great-grandson Phillip Russell Doll.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on July 18, 2026, at Hillside Funeral Home and a rosary will be held at 11 a.m.

Following the rosary, services will continue at St. John Neumann Catholic Church where Chema’s funeral mass will be celebrated at 12 noon.

Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Neumann Catholic Church or Casa de Misericordia.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Hillside Funerals and Cremations; 310 W Hillside Rd. Laredo, Texas 78041; 956-724-6060.