Andres Ramos

Andres "Andy" Ramos, Jr.​
County Judge of Webb County, Texas​
In office January 1, 1987​ – January 1, 1991​
Succeeded by	Mercurio Martinez, Jr.​
Born	July 12, 1939 Laredo, Texas​
Died	August 5, 2023 (aged 84)
Nationality	Mexican-American
Political party	Democrat​
Spouse(s)	​Adriana Sanchez Ramos (married 1964-2023, his death)
Children	Alejandro Ramos Alonzo Ramos Aaron Ramos Grandmother: Jesusita Carbajal
Residence	Laredo, Texas​
Alma mater	Martin High School ​Texas A & M Kingsville East Texas State University at Commerce
Occupation	​Educator; Businessman
Religion	Roman Catholic​
Military Service
Service/branch	United States Air Force

​Andres Ramos, Jr., known as Andy Ramos (July 12, 1939 – August 5, 2023) was the county judge in his native Laredo, Texas, from 1987 to 1991. Earlier, beginning in 1978, he was a city council member for three terms. He was unseated in the Democratic party primary by Mercurio Martinez, Jr., who then defeated the write-in candidate, former Laredo Mayor Aldo Tatangelo.

Background

Ramos was reared in Laredo by his grandmother, Jesusita Carbajal, embraced the Roman Catholic religion, and graduated in 1958 from Martin High School in Laredo. He served in the United States Air Force and subsequently in 1963 obtained his bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas A & M Kingsville and his master's in education in 1973 from East Texas State University in Commerce, northeast of Dallas. After his education career, he owned the business known as Pure Spring, Air & Water for thirty-five years. For nineteen years, he was the director of operations for the South Texas Private Industry Council.

Career

On the city council, Ramos was an activist for the youth, elderly, businesses, and neighborhoods. He worked for the completion of the first public emergency ambulance service established with the Laredo Fire Department. The law required firefighters to become certified paramedics. He secured funding for the West Martin Field, later named Veteran’s Baseball Field, and the Benavides Baseball Field in South Laredo. These were the first public baseball fields established in Laredo. He proposed the establishment of the Laredo Public Communications Commission, which today serves as the hub for public access channels.

As county judge, Ramos worked for the establishment of the Purchasing Agent Department and Public Defender’s Office. He secured funding for Loop 20, known as Bob Bullock Loop from Mines Road to U.S. Highway 359. He hired the first grant writer in Webb County’s history and established Webb County’s first model subdivision rules that led to the creation of the Planning Department.

Ramos in 1975 worked to establish the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame. He was affiliated with the Laredo League of United Latin American Citizens, Council No. 12 member. He was a board member of the Texas Soil and Water Conservation District. Ramos is honored by the renaming of the East Central Park as the "Andres 'Andy' Ramos, Jr. Park.

Family and legacy

Ramos was married for fifty-nine years to the former Adriana Sanchez. The couple has three sons, Alejandro (wife Lisa) Ramos, Alonzo (wife Teresa) Ramos, Aaron (wife Angela) Ramos. Ramos spent weekends with his family at their El Milagrito Ranch.

Ramos died at the age of eighty-four. Current County Judge Tano Tijerina described Ramos, accordingly: "I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Webb County Judge Andres Ramos. His passion for our county, its residents, and the many organizations he played a key role in was unwavering.” He said, “Many of us remember him donning his cowboy hat, but he was capable of wearing many hats, he was versatile in nature. He built a lasting legacy in our community. As we remember his lasting impact in Webb County, let us keep his family and friends in our hearts and prayers.”