Charles J. "Swede" Ramos March 28, 1933-Sept. 20, 2013

Charles J. “Swede” Ramos, 80, of Echo, died on Friday, Sept. 20 2013 at the Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. He was born in Echo on March 28, 1933. He attended Echo Schools, graduating in 1951. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1955 with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration and was vice president of Sigma Nu fraternity. He served in the U.S. Navy on board the Destroyer USS Hamner DD718.

Swede and Darlyne (Fritzi) Wattenburger were married in Pendleton on Feb. 19, 1956. Swede was employed by Pendleton Grain Growers, Inc. as a branch manager in Prosser, Wash., until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1975.

He was a member of Echo Booster Club, Echo Quarterback Club, Our Lady of Angles Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3207 of Prosser, Wash., American Legion Post #1 of Portland, Stanfield Moose Lodge #920, Hermiston Eagles Lodge aerie #2909, Pendleton Elks Lodge #288, and a life member of the University of Oregon Alumni Association.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Fritzi, in 2011.

He is survived by his son, Joe of Echo; granddaughters, Kelsi and Carli of Kennewick, Wash.; brothers, John (Cowboy) Ramos of Echo and Sam (Coke) Ramos of Hereford; sisters, Joanne (Sis) Harris of Echo and Jeanne (Buggs) West of Coos Bay; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Recitation of the Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Hermiston. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Echo Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to a reception luncheon at the residence of Blake and Chris Bettencourt at 33788 Rieth Road in Echo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Echo Quarterback Club, P.O. Box 462 Echo, OR., 97826 or for the restoration of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Echo.

Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston.