Donald Lee Ramsey

Mr. Donald Lee Ramsey, age 77 of Bolivar, Missouri passed away early Tuesday morning, May 8, 2012 at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri after a courageous fight with cancer. He was born March 30, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Edward W. Ramsey and Mary C. (Phelan) Ramsey. Don graduated from Webster Groves High School where he was a four-time state champion wrestler, and a member of the W.G.H.S. Sports Hall of Fame. Don attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He graduated in 1957 with a bachelors degree in Geology. It was there that he met his future wife, Carol E. Trowbridge, and married her on September 07, 1957, in Waterloo, Iowa. Don started his geology career with the Missouri State Highway Department where he helped survey center lines and test soils/rocks for such interstate highways as I-44 and I-55. He then started his own Test Drilling Company, and for 25 years specialized in large drilling projects for communities, dams, mines, and water systems. He worked from West Texas to Wyoming to Pennsylvania and throughout the Midwest. He was a loving husband, father and avid outdoorsman. Don enjoyed camping, fishing, and deer hunting, as well as several rounds of golf a week. Don was proud of his backyard garden and liked shared the fruits of his labor with others. Don was a faithful St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan since back in the 40s when he was a member of a knot-hole gang. Don was a member of Bolivar United Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents; Edward and Mary Ramsey, and two sisters; Betty Mittler and Elenor Freiert. Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol E. Ramsey; son Steven Ramsey and his wife Carla; daughter Donna Jacobs and husband Michael; grandchildren Nathanial Jacobs and his wife Marla; Michael Tyler Jacobs, Lauren Ramsey, and Kimberly Ramsey; great granddaughter Hayden Jacobs; and brother William E. Ramsey and his wife Susan. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, May 14, 2012 at the Bolivar United Methodist Church in Bolivar, Missouri with Reverend J.C. Harp officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00pm prior to service on Monday. Pallbearers will be Steven Ramsey, Michael K. Jacobs, Nathanial Jacobs, Michael T. Jacobs, Mark Freiert, and Jack Ross. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Nickerson, John Thompson, Frank Terhune, Jerry Miller, Del Carmen, Kelly Baker, and Larry Johnson. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, Missouri. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Donald Lee Ramsey

March 30, 1935 - May 8, 2012