Richard Ramsey, Jr.

5/16/1986 — 11/13/2016

• Service Date: 11/18/2016
• Get Directions to Service

• Send a Condolence

While riding in the Lochsa Mountains with family, they found a rainbow high above the clouds and the sun was shining bright. Richard Ramsey Jr. (aka Sonny, Richie, Lil Rich, Pony Boy) described it as the best day ever. The creator, our God, gifted 30 years of Sonny's life to family and friends and bestowed a smile and personality on Sonny that was inviting and welcoming to others, allowing all to laugh and be joyful when they were around him. Sonny was insightful and a deep thinker. Equally, he was free spirited and had friends from all walks of life. Two words that describe Sonny are qeps qeps (strong) and wepcuux (smart).

Richard Mark Ramsey Jr. was born on May 16, 1986, to Richard M. Ramsey and Lisa Guzman. At the age of 2 years old, he lived with his parents in the military stationed at Nuremberg and Schwabach, Germany. For three years, the exposure of living in a foreign country would ignite his passion of understanding languages, culture of his people, the Nimiipuu, and his Mexican-American ancestry.

After returning to the States, Sonny was raised in Moscow. He attended West Park Elementary and Moscow Junior High. Sonny learned to play golf at the University of Idaho golf course. He was independent at a young age and spent hours on the course conversing and making new friends of all ages.

For a short period of Sonny's life, he lived in Kent, Wash. He was exposed to a diverse group of friends and was intrigued by the Russian language. His friends taught him key words and he yearned to seek knowledge and diverse perspectives. As an enrolled Nez Perce tribal member and descendent of the Red Wolf-Alpowa Band and Huusus Maqs Maqs of the Whitebird Band, he developed a passion for the Nez Perce language and understanding of history and meaning of tribal songs. His grandmother, Josephine Ramsey, was influential in creating an atmosphere of fun learning. He was curious about the impact that the drum had on the lives of his Nimiipuu ancestors and current tribal setting. He spoke of "hope," questioning how ancestors were able to live amongst constant adversity, and he recognized the strength of his people and wanted to encourage and promote strength through preservation of Nimiipuu culture and specifically the language. Sonny was a speaker who easily conversed with elders and he was described as qa'anis (respectful). He was sought out and readily helped to translate when asked. Sonny's passion for the language made him a major contributor to the revitalization of the Nimiipuu language, including teaching young children and creating a Google app of the Nez Perce language. Only recently did he write a song for the drum group "Lightning Creek," and it will be shared with all who loved him.

As a graduate of Lapwai High School in 2004 and a college graduate of Lewis-Clark State College in 2015, he made many friends and built strong relationships with fellow students. He never met an enemy and the family deeply appreciates the ties and friendships created.

Sonny is a thread to his strong cohesive family; he was preceded in death by late grandparents Josephine Paul Ramsey, Aaron Ramsey, Don Taylor and Oscar Guzman; and uncle Joe Daniels; and nephew Michael "BB" Bisbee III.

He is survived by maternal grandmothers Shirley Guzman, Connie Evans, Mary Jane Souther, Jerry Walker and Christine Walker; his parents, Richard Ramsey (Justine Miles), and Lisa Guzman (Bryan Samuels); his sisters, Alyssa Ramsey (Max Wheeler), Andrea Sonneck (Jordan), Erin Ramsey and Bryanna Samuels; and first cousins (sisters/brothers) Britanni Bisbee, Melissa "Melsey" Guzman, Brandon Guzman, Danielle "Doods," Kelsey Reyes, Bethany Guzman, Shirley Guzman, Julian Guzman, Andrew Guzman, Roberta Bisbee, Mazie Wilson, Aaron Ramsey, and Sonya, Sybil, Sydel and Austin Samuels; as well as nieces and nephew Aviana Wheeler, Jaleia Sonneck, Haidyn Wheeler and Loren Wheeler; and influential aunts and uncles, Yolanda Bisbee (Poncho), Oscar "Bub" Guzman (Diania), Aaron Guzman (Jennifer), Dennis Paul and Jennifer Ramsey.

Memorial services will be held to celebrate his wonderful life at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Friday in Kamiah at the Second Indian Presbyterian Church, followed by burial at the Second Church Cemetery on No Kidd Lane in Kamiah. Dinner will be served after burial at the Wa A Yas Community building. Yox kalo.

Service Information

Date & Time

Friday, November 18, 10:00 AM

Location

Kamiah Second Indian Presbyterian Cemetery
No Kid Lane
Kamiah, Idaho 83536

Get Directions

Additional Details

A memorial service will be held Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center in Lapwai.

Condolences

Offer Condolences

Professional Service

✔ Since 1924
✔ Burial or Cremation Services
✔ Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans
✔ Web-Casting
✔ Modern Comfortable Facility
✔ Up-To-Date Audio/Video

Contact Information

The administrative offices are open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are by appointment only.