REMEMBERING LAMONT RAMAGE
HAYS COUNTY — Former Justice of the Peace Lamont Ramage died Tuesday, April 13 after battling a long illness, surrounded by his greatest legacy — his family.
Long before Ramage would go on to become a pillar of the Hays County community, he met Sandra (Dobson) Ramage, his high school sweetheart who would go on to become his wife of 64 years. He served in the United States Marine Corp. and graduated from Sam Houston State University, receiving a master’s degree in criminology.
Contributed Photo
Ramage who served as JP for 12 years, swearing in his daughter as JP.[/caption]
Ramage and his wife had two children, Lucinda Ramage Doyle and William "Monty" Ramage. Lamont worked for the United States Federal Courts for more than 20 years as the supervising probation officer in the Western District of Texas.
After retirement, he served as Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 of Hays County for more than 12 years before he retired for a second time.
Ramage wanted to be active in his community in any way that he could. Ramage was the first mayor of the city of Hays and for several years, he served as president and school board member of Hays CISD. Ramage was also on the Board of Directors of Pedernales Electric Co-Op and was an active member of the Optimist Club, the Lions Club and various school organizations. Ramage supported the youth of Hays CISD and loved his volunteer work with the athletics department of Hays High School and was a member of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Buda.
In addition to his many accomplishments, Ramage's biggest achievement was his family.
“His biggest career was his family,” Doyle, his daughter, said. “Dad always served his community well, but he served his family even better.”
Ramage and his wife Sandra were two service-minded people and that is something they were able to pass down to their children and their grandchildren.
“He always served his community in such a way that it taught all of us to be the same way, to be service-minded and help those who needed help,” Doyle said. “Dad always very quietly helped anybody that needed anything, whether it was a place to stay or food to eat.”
One of Ramage’s biggest missions was to be able to help the youth of the community and he wanted his time as JP to reflect that.
“I know that he was very approachable as a judge. I know that he was a fair man. And if a child or kiddo was having trouble, he wanted to mentor them and help them,” Doyle said. “As a leader, he was approachable. People felt very comfortable in the community, no matter what area he was helping, to approach him and get advice or help.”
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Lamont Ramage’s greatest legacy was his family. Pictured are Ramage, wife Sandra, daughter Lucinda Doyle and son Monty Doyle.[/caption]
Ramage instilled the same service mindset and work ethic he had into his children’s lives. His daughter even followed in her father’s footsteps and served as JP.
“When I graduated from high school in 1979 and my brother in ‘84, dad was on the school board, so he got to give us our diplomas whenever we crossed the stage. When I graduated from law school, dad was a judge, so he got to swear me in. Whenever I became JP, dad got to swear me in there. So those are special moments. I will always treasure those [because they] are so special,” Doyle said.
While Ramage’s career and service to the Hays County community were a large portion of his life, he also always made time for his family and friends.
Some of his family’s favorite memories include their summer beach trips to South Padre Island.
Mike Jones, a longtime friend and Ramage’s fellow school board member, described Ramage as a loyal friend and someone you would always want in your corner.
“With Lamont, you never had to worry about what he was thinking, because he didn’t mind telling you,” Jones said. “He was one of my most loyal and biggest supporters. It upset him more than it upset me if I got any negative press.”
Jones remembers the times he spent with Ramage in the press box at Hays CISD sporting events.
“He ran the press box for probably 10 or 15 years for all the home football games,” Jones said.
“But he made sure nobody was in that press box that wasn’t supposed to be there,” he added.
Ramage made a lasting impact on not only everyone who knew him, but the community as well.
“Whether it was being in the press box or being the picker at track meets, if something was happening, he was there. He was going to be involved and be very supportive and very protective of it. He was a pillar of the community,” Jones said.
A memorial service was held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 600 FM 3237, in Wimberley on Tuesday, April 25.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 725 Ranch Road 967, in Buda or to your favorite charity.
