James "Jim" Ramirez
October 1933 - January 2025
Jim Ramirez passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, at the age of 91. He spent his life in Omaha, raising his family, serving his community, and being a champion of the underdog. Jim was the son of immigrant parents and grew up in south Omaha.
Background & Achievements
Dr. Ramirez graduated from Omaha South High School. Jim began his education while working in the south Omaha packing plants. He took night classes, earning a Bachelor’s degree at what was then called Omaha University, and would later become the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He went on to earn a Master’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and was among the first Latinos to earn a PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
His career included Boys Club of America Unit Director; University of Nebraska-Omaha Instructor and Counselor; and Omaha Public Schools Human/Community Relations Specialist.
Obituary
Jim had a special place in his heart for animals, especially stray cats. Many a homeless kitty found their way into his home and into his heart.
Jim Ramirez is survived by Karen Anderson, his life partner of over 40 years; daughter, Rene, (Chris) Campos; son, Jimmy (Mary Jo) Ramirez, Jr.; brother, Michael (Sandy) Ramirez; sister, Mary Helen Cuevas; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Josephine Ramirez; sister, Marcella Hedlund; daughter, Nikki Meyer.
Following a private family inurnment service, Jim’s final resting place will be Resurrection Cemetery in Omaha.
Website Information provided by Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler Mortuaries & Crematory
Edward Babe Gomez
August 1932 - September 1951
Despite being 5 '2, Babe was a lively light that entered the room, his comrades describing him as ‘Gun ho Ready’ , always prepared for action and pumped to defend his country's rights and freedom.
His determined spirit did not spring out of nowhere, his father Modesto Gomez was a dedicated family man along with his mother Matiana Gomez. M
Despite being 5 '2, Babe was a lively light that entered the room, his comrades describing him as ‘Gun ho Ready’ , always prepared for action and pumped to defend his country's rights and freedom.
His determined spirit did not spring out of nowhere, his father Modesto Gomez was a dedicated family man along with his mother Matiana Gomez. Modesto dedicated 28 years of his life to the meat packing plant factory life in South Omaha, he was a hardworking immigrant from Zacatecas, Mexico.
As a kid, Babe spent most of his time playing and adventuring his neighborhoods or the stockyards plaza where many of the neighborhood kids gathered. Jim Ramirez reminisced on days where himself and Babe were trouble makers, recounting on a memory where Babe crashed into a car with a sled, leaving a gash on his face.
The memory bringing a smile to Ramirez’s face, recounting how they ran away from the driver due to panic.
In his more rebellious era, Babe wound up going to Kearny Correctional Youth center because he stole a bike and then dismantled and buried the parts. His parents decided that going to the correctional center would straighten him out and lead him down a better path.
Enlisting in the army a day after his 17th birthday, Babe became a recognized War Hero native to Omaha Nebraska for his courageous actions.
A Young South High War Hero
Edward Babe Gomez: First South Omaha Latino to Posthumously Receive Medal of Honor
Edward Babe Gomez was a Mexican American War Hero, who now has a street and school named after him in recognition of his courageous acts.
In the midst of the Korean war, Babe and his comrades of the Machine Gun Unit, assigned to E
A Young South High War Hero
Edward Babe Gomez: First South Omaha Latino to Posthumously Receive Medal of Honor
Edward Babe Gomez was a Mexican American War Hero, who now has a street and school named after him in recognition of his courageous acts.
In the midst of the Korean war, Babe and his comrades of the Machine Gun Unit, assigned to East company, 2nd Battalion, First Marine Regiment were faced with a grenade and split second decision. In a matter of seconds and choices, Babe’s heroic thinking saved his comrades from fatality; he did so knowing it would cost him his life.
In the final letter to his mother, gomez expressed how there would be no better reason than for a man to die for his country, “I am not sorry I died because I died fighting for my country and that’s the number one thing in everyone’s life, to keep his home and his country from being won over by communism.”