Ernesto Valentin Colon Ramirez (Nesto), was born Friday, Nov. 6, 1953 in La Ceiba, a town located on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America, to Andres and Aurora Ramirez. During his early years in Honduras, Ernesto was an avid soccer player. In 1970’s, he moved to Los Angeles, CA. While living there he worked for many years in the nursing field, where he met his wife, Gloria Juanita. In 1995, he again relocated with his family to Lawrenceville, GA where he worked for MNM Boats, Inc. as a deckhand and chef. Ernesto loved to travel and enjoyed spending his free time with a huge array of family & friends. Some of his favorite times were cooking, showcasing his vast culinary talents in the kitchen. Ernesto attended 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, GA.

Ernesto is survived by his wife, Gloria Juanita Ramirez of Lawrenceville, GA; children, Mildred Ramirez of New York, Wilson Ramirez of Hondurus, Jamie Ramirez of Lancaster, CA, Kelly Walker of Lawrenceville, GA, Melody Ramirez-Thomas of New Jersey, Aurora Ramirez-Newton of Palm Dale, CA, Amber Ramirez of Norcross, GA, Brandon Ramirez of Lancaster, CA, and Kendall Ramirez of Lawrenceville, GA. Other survivors include his sisters, Julia, Mirian, Martha, Betty, Cristina, Leopoildina, Betania, Deisy, Tesla, Mercedes, Letty and Jurima; brothers, Jose, Luis, Andres, Marcus and Ceasar; and a host of other family and friends.

Always with a big smile and an even bigger heart, Ernesto will truly be missed by his large circle of family & friends. When he walked into a room, your first instinct was to smile. He was truly a man that inspired others to reach for the stars, and was always there in times of need with a helping hand and a motivating spirit!

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Ernesto Valentin Colon Ramirez will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Chapel of Georgia Cremation Duluth, Georgia.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until time of service at the chapel.  Georgia Cremation 3116 U. S. Highway 23, Duluth, Georgia 30096 is assisting the family with local arrangements (678)584-0914.  Condolences may be made or viewed at www.GeorgiaCremation.com

We love and miss you more than words can say Ernesto, dance with the angels…

He is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want; smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
~David Harkins~