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Enrique O. ‘Wero’ Ramirez
Enrique O. “Wero” Ramirez, 84, of Mammoth, passed away into our Lord’s open arms on March 4, 2017, in the home he and his wife, Mary, built and loved. He was born on April 10, 1932, in El Paso, TX, to Cipriano G. Ramirez and Victoria Orozco Ramirez.
Wero was working for Kennecott when he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War, where they held his position upon his return from his tour of duty. Serving on the front lines during his time in Korea, he was a gunner with the 5th Regimental Combat team and had the privilege of having a caddy carry his weapon. At the time of his honorable discharge, he was offered to stay where he replied, “No sir, they pay me more back home than here.” He remained a member of the 5th RCT where he and Mary enjoyed many military reunions including Las Vegas, NV; San Antonio, TX; Des Moines, IA; Washington, DC; and Hawaii.
When Magma was flourishing, he came to work here where he remained for 39-plus years (just one month shy of 40 years). He was the best raise miner/supervisor who earned much respect from those working under him because of his work ethics teaching them the best mining strategies. He was never afraid of hard work or working hard; he was tough, but fair. He was very precise and meticulous in any project he undertook. This led him to become the best gunsmith in the area, a skill he learned from his father at the young age of 14. After his father passed he inherited his gunsmithing tools and equipment of which he was very proud, and put them to good use. He mastered the art on his own throughout the years, purchasing different books to upgrade his potential. For several years he subcontracted for The Outdoorsman in San Manuel as a gunsmith acquiring many clients and friends. Those who knew him will attest to the fact that he was an expert in this field.
In addition to being a member of the 5th RCT, Wero was an endowed member of the NRA, a lifetime member of the Elks, VFW member and past president of the Mammoth Miner Memorial for a number of years, honoring all miners not only present and past, but those who were killed in the St. Anthony, Tiger and Magma/BHP Mines (the monument is located in Mammoth, Arizona, on Highway 77). Wero and his drilling team, who consisted of Martin “Tio” Sanchez, Abelardo Llamas and Danny Castaneda, drilled 384 holes in order to start hollowing out the four-ton boulder. The monument holds Wero as the raise miner in the hollowed end result. The statue was sketched by Mick Garcia and sculpted by a Tucson firm.
As he used to say, “Deep enough and well timbered”. He leaves behind a legacy of his own just for being “Wero”.
Survivors include his wife of almost 31 years, Mary; sons, Rick Ramirez, of Tucson; Mark (Cheryl )Ramirez, of Oklahoma City, OK; Frank Ramirez, of Tucson; daughters, Lisa Stengel, of Monmouth, Oregon and Victoria (Matthew) Dunne and Henrietta (Ronnie) Noriega, both of Tucson; stepchildren, Dora Magdaleno, of Calipatria, CA; Joanne (Cosme) Martinez, of Tucson, Bill Maya, of San Manuel; Gabriel (Angelique) Maya, of Mesa and Marisa Maya, of Mammoth; 27 grandchildren and 16-great grandchildren; brother, Arturo Ramirez and sister, Helen (Bill) Maytorena, both of Tucson. He is preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Nina Marie Ramirez; sister-in-law, Esperanza Ramirez; and step son-in-law, Sergio Magdaleno.
A Catholic Service was held on March 10, 2017, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Mammoth with Father Wally officiating. Interment followed at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson with military honors provided by VFW in Sierra Vista. Griffith Mortuary handled arrangements.
News article about Wero Ramirez
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