Tributes

RAMIRO CHAVARRIA April 2, 1928 - September 20, 2020 Much can be said about the vibrant personality of Ramiro Chavarria — a good man who possessed the greatest capacity to love and befriend all. His earthly gifts and skills — which our Ramiro generously shared — will most be remembered. Our beloved Ramiro was born in Laredo, Texas to Eustolia and Lorenzo Chavarria. Ramiro has three beautiful sisters Manuela Chavarría de Alarcón, Elida (Noni) Jarboe and Martha Alonzo — all of whom survive him. Their marriages brought forth beloved nieces, nephews, numerous grand- and great grandnieces and nephews, who dearly loved their Tío Miro. Ramiro met and married San Antonio native Bertha Malacara. She and their first-born daughter, Rebecca and, their two granddaughters - Carina Wright (Josh) and Lamar Chavarria-Chairez survive him. Ramiro and Bertha’s younger daughter María Elena died in 2013. He was educated in his hometown where he graduated from Raymond & Tirza Martin High School, “the flagship high school of Laredo”. After graduation he joined the Marines and was stationed in the Pacific Northwest. After a two-year term of service, Ramiro was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1948. Ramiro — a southpaw who was quite ambidextrous — excelled in marksmanship and garnered numerous medals and awards. Then, Ramiro chose to attend Texas A&M, where he studied mechanical engineering and draftsmanship. In his good fortune, Ramiro pursued a career in civil service at Kelly Air Force Base in Air Logistics and Procurement. He proudly served on the team of pioneering aeronautical and mechanical engineers who developed the C-5 Galaxy military cargo jet, which was launched in 1968. During his career-long tenure at Kelly Air Force Base, Ramiro again collaborated in the development of the F-16 jet fighter which was added to the U.S. Air Force military capacity in 1974. Ramiro loved to tell a joke or sing a song. He frequently retold memories of his youth, spent in Laredo and neighboring rural communities, sharing how he used slingshot and later, received his first junior .22 caliber rifle as a birthday gift. Active in the Boy Scouts and later serving as a Troop Master, his avid sportsmanship and respect for the natural order in the wild were shared with young scouts as well as his daughters and many generations of the family. There will be an open casket for a brief viewing under a tent for a private family gathering at the Mission Park Chapel and Cemetery - Dominion. All invited guests should PLEASE arrive no later than 1:45 pm in order to gather for a brief viewing prior to the closure of the coffin. To be mindful of health and safety, please wear a protective mask and observe social distancing protocols as provided with reserved seating. While we honor the dead, we must also protect the living. Floral arrangements are not necessary, however guests are free to bring a few blooms from their home or a cluster of flowers to impart as a final gesture. During this pandemic, those who wish to make a donation in memory of Ramiro Chavarria are simply encouraged to reach out, as they may so wish, to those in need during these times. Lastly, the family gives thanks to his caregivers who have been of great assistance to Ramiro and his family.