John Carol Ramsay, son of the late Lyman and Edna Ramsay, was born July 17, 1941, in Mobile, Alabama. A lifelong Ramsay Road resident in Grand Bay, John went to be with his Heavenly Family on April 29, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones. John was a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Parish Catholic Church in Grand Bay. John's life is best described in the verse from Micah 6:8 "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."
A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Agriculture, John was an avid farmer beginning early in his life, starting with produce, cattle and to this day Ramsay Farms Christmas Trees. With a work ethic that rivaled none, he was an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He worked side by side with his brother, Woodie, on many ventures, from growing and selling melons on Hwy 90 in their teens, to establishing Gulf Equipment Corporation during the beginning of the telecommunication era. John built his legacy from the ground up as he later pioneered a disaster debris management company, CrowderGulf, that stands today as an industry leader.
John (aka JR, Papa John, Uncle John, Big John, Capt. John) will be missed greatly by his family and friends. His humility, genuine care for others and his incredible work ethic were some of the qualities that made John the man that so many came to know and love. John was bigger than life and life was always an adventure. As he said on several occasions, he had more fun working in a day than most people had going to Disney World for a week.
John's life will forever be cherished by the lives he leaves behind. His five children: Ashley (Wesley) Naile, Amber Ramsay, Aimee Ramsay Sprinkle, of Mobile, AL; John Aaron (Tracie) Ramsay, and Autumn (Scotty) Bowden, of Grand Bay, AL. He also leaves six grandchildren: Drew (Ginny) Sprinkle, Emilee Sprinkle, Julia Ramsay, John Ramsay, Anna Claire Bowden and Parker Bowden, and his great grandson George Ramsay Sprinkle. The mother of his children, Kaye Parker Ramsay, of Mobile, AL. His siblings, twin sister, Mary (late Ken) Kirchoff, Woodie (Beth) Ramsay, and Margaret (Willie) Wright, of Grand Bay, AL. Six nieces, six nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and numerous godchildren. His girlfriend, "Ms. Kel", Kelly Pridgen, of Rocky Mount, NC, and countless other dear friends.
Services for John will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at St. John's the Baptist Parish Catholic Church, 12450 AL-188, Grand Bay, AL 36541. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be at 2:00 pm with graveside service to follow at Grand Bay Cemetery.
Flowers can be sent to St John's Church or Bowden Residence. Donations can be made to St John's Church, PO Box 417, Grand Bay, AL 36541, Reference: In honor of John Ramsay