Gary Ramlow

November 14th, 1946 - December 31st, 2021

Gary's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Gary here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

My dad, my hero, my motivator and the human I have always been so proud to take after. He was always my cheerleader and the inspiration to my determination to push forward and make things happen, even if they seemed impossible. The man who could fix, build, draw, paint and invent anything. He loved to create and find ways to fix any problem he faced while creating. Whatever he fixed was going to be the biggest, baddest, never fall apart creation in existence...even if he only used it once...lol!
He was the king of breakfast as we were growing up. He would make food for an army and take the time to make fun shapes and faces in our pancakes. We always looked forward to mornings when dad was in charge of breakfast.
When he had time off work it was always special because he spent hours playing with us, teaching us how to take care of the animals on our small farm, building or fixing things in the garage and later in his wood working shop. He would make us laugh with his goofy faces, gestures, dances and silly jokes. He had an infectious smile and laugh.
He loved kids and always went out of his way to goof around, lend a kind hand or teach a valuable lesson whether you were his child or not. We were lucky enough to have a few friends stay with us off and on while growing up and he always loved them like his own.
He never missed an event or sport we were involved in and cheered on EVERY kid involved, especially those who did not always have someone there watching them.
No matter how many hours he had put in at work, when he had time off, we would take a day trip somewhere new or go on some kind of fun vacation. Sometimes to a zoo, a bird sanctuary or places like Michigan's Adventure or Cedar Point. (He even rode the corkscrew with me...once...bless his heart. I remember him being very green after that ride! I didn't know he hated rollercoasters, but he did it anyway, for me.
Mostly though, we would go camping and fishing. He was absolutely in his element and I loved learning to fish with him. I especially enjoyed his lessons on fly fishing! He was so patient and very trusting while I learned the rhythm without hooking anything, or anyone, while in his boat.
He loved animals and spending time outside (especially in a boat or in the woods).
He was also a good mechanic and built a tractor he used on the farm when we were kids and his favorite hotrod...his yellow dune buggy when were in high-school. He terrified many a rider while flying through sharp turns and whiping 360s in the middle of town, with a huge smile plastered on HIS face the whole time. :)
There are so many beautiful memories I wish I could share but I would have to write an entire series to include them all.
My brother very recently and very profoundly said to me, we are very lucky in the way were raised. There is nothing I can say to dad that he does not know already. YES!! We were SO lucky in the way we were raised! There was never a missed opportunity to say "I Love You!"