Don Ramier, Jr.'s Obituary
Don A. Ramier, Jr., 78, of Memphis, passed away on June 2, 2011. A Memphian, Don was born to Don A. Ramier, Sr., and Elizabeth Barcroft Ramier on August 17, 1932. He graduated from high school in Mobile, Alabama and earned a B.A. in Economics from Rhodes College (formerly Southwestern at Memphis) in 1953. During college, he was a sports writer for the Memphis Commercial Appeal and a staff writer for United Press. Following college, he served three and a half years in the Navy as a line officer with a communications specialty. He was with Cyanamid in New Orleans prior to returning to Memphis in 1957, when he joined Plough, Inc. He served in five divisions- Headquarters (assistant Personnel director and marketing assistant, Plough Labs); International(area supervisor and manager/Pacific and Far East and Vice President/Administration); Maybelline Sales (national field sales manager and VP/field sales manager); Proprieties (VP/Marketing and VP/Sales); and Scholl(Senior VP/Sales, Marketing and Advertising and President). He was also appointed VP Marketing Administrator and Director of Region C. international consumer products division. In business as well as in retirement, Don enjoyed traveling extensively all over the world, developing many deep friendships over the course of his journeys. He was particularly fond of the Japanese people and culture. Viewing the mastery of the written language as a key component to success, he was a great admirer of the prolific Winston Churchill, author of many inspiring speeches and books. A great American patriot, Don was an ardent reader of World War II books. Also, an avid sports enthusiast, he was an excellent golf player. His generous heart was evidenced as he was a sponsor of two Philippino children. He was also a faithful volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a member of Germantown Presbyterian Church. His giving spirit and wry sense of humor endeared him to his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Don A. Ramier, III. He is survived b his wife of 57 years, Joan Smith Ramier; his daughter, Betsy Vacheron and son-in-law, Dominique Vacheron. He also leaves three grandchildren; Nathalie and Albert Vacheron of Germantown, TN, and Don A. Ramier IV of Woodbury, NJ. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Germantown Presbyterian Church. Memorial donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Mid South Chapter, 4205 Hillsboro Place, Suite 216, Nashville, TN 37215-3439. www.alz.org Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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