Charles Kenneth Ramsey, Age 82, of White Sulphur Springs

Charles “Chuck” Kenneth Ramsey; February 15, 1931 to March 5, 2013

In the early morning hours of March 5, 2013, Chuck passed away at Mountainview Medical Center in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, as a result of a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer.  Chuck recently celebrated his 82nd birthday with his family.

Chuck was the fourth child of seven born to Walter and Emma (Wilke) Ramsey on February 15, 1931 in Cascade, Montana.  He grew up on the family ranch near Lingshire, Montana and attended Twin Firs School with his 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

Chuck served our country in the United States Air Force from January 21, 1952 to March 6, 1954 during the Korean War and was honorably discharged.

On March 3, 1958, Chuck married his life-long love, Lydamae Anthony in Helena, Montana.   They worked together on the Tony Gasper Ranch next to the family ranch in the beginning.  They later moved to White Sulphur Springs where Chuck was employed by Montana Department of Transportation as Highway Maintenance man for 34 years.  He spent many hours plowing snow and caring for the highways from Ringling to Kings Hill and Martinsdale through Deep Creek Canyon, nights, weekends and holidays.

Chuck grew up learning a great appreciation for the land, outdoors and maintained a love of fishing, hunting and all the beauty of Meagher County.  He loved to camp and take long drives all over Montana, extending that love later in life to 4 trips to Alaska.  He still had the hope of making that trip one more time.  The family traveled to California, Washington state, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Virginia seeing the place his father, Walter had moved from as a young man, before homesteading in Montana.  Early trips were made with a Chevy Station Wagon and a tent with wife and the first 4 children – later came the GMC and camper and even later a fifth wheel trailer behind a new Ford pickup with Lydamae and Tim.

Chuck was an avid sportsman, hunting elk, deer and moose.  He loved to fish the Smith River, Rock Creek and ice fish on Sutherland and Newlan Creek Dams, while his children ice skated, dug worms or captured grasshoppers.  His sons have followed in his footsteps with his passions.  The family has many wonderful memories also, of camping with family and friends at Rock Creek,  Gypsy Lake and other campgrounds around the state.  Many trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks occurred over the years.  Chuck could out walk men half his age until just the past few years.

Chuck served as a volunteer fireman and ambulance driver for Meagher County.  He was a early member of the Meagher County Rodeo Club, and VFW.  He was a member and served on the board of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church for many years.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a leader in the church, maintaining great faith and hope with calmness and grace until the very end of his life.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Emma (Wilke) Ramsey; sisters Virginia (Ramsey) Staley and Evalyn (Ramsey) Hilton and her husband Kenneth Hilton; Nephew Kenneth Hilton, Jr.; Niece Barbara Ann Sharpe; and son-in-law Jackie R. (J.R.) Shinabarger.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lydamae (Anthony) Ramsey; sisters Marie (Gerald) Adams of Dixon, Ca; June (Williard) Bernhardt and brothers Walter “Leo” Ramsey, James “Jim” (Alice) Ramsey, all of White Sulphur Springs; children Ronda (the late J.R.) Shinabarger and Charles “Brent” (Diane) Ramsey, of White Sulphur Springs, and Debbie (Patrick) Welch of Shepherd, Montana and Cindy (Ed) Tarazon of Nuevo, California, and Timothy Ramsey of Neihart, MT; 10 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

Services will be held at Stevenson-Wilke Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs Saturday, March 9th at 11:00 a.m. with graveside service to follow at Mayn Cemetery, south of White Sulphur Springs.  The family invites friends and family to a reception to follow at the Meagher County Community Center in White Sulphur Springs.  Memorials may be made to the Meagher County Community Center, Mountainview Medical Center or Mountainview Community Church of White Sulphur Springs.

The family wishes to extend appreciation to Mountainview Medical Center for their wonderful care of our husband and father and to Pastor Johnny Gluhm and all of the friends and family during Chuck’s illness.

Service Schedule

Viewing

9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Friday March 8, 2013

Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

103 E Garfield

White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 am

Saturday March 9, 2013

Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

103 E Garfield

White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645

View map

Burial with Military Honors

Following Service

Saturday March 9, 2013

Mayn Cemetery

Cemetery Road

White Sulphur Springs, 59645

View map

Reception

Following Graveside

Saturday March 9, 2013

Senior Center

White Sulphur Springs, 59645

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.