Posted on 03/13/2018
CDR Lee M. Ramsey (1925 - 2018)
Lee M. Ramsey, son of Cecil Zeddy and Felicia Ramsey, went to be with the Lord March 9, 2018. Lee was born in Oakland Maryland on February 13, 1925. He spent his childhood on a farm with 12 siblings, 2 of whom survive him, Sherwood Ramsey and Beryl Benda, both living in Baltimore Maryland. He married his wife of 53 years, Virginia Carn of Savannah, Georgia, on New Year's Day, 1945. Together they parented 9 children, 7 girls and 2 boys. He was a kind soul who never knew a stranger. Whether it was a bite to eat, a place to lay your head or a ride to work or school, he was always there to help. He lived a very fruitful 93 years.
He enlisted in the Navy in July of 1942 at the age of 18. In May 1943 he was assigned to the USS Philadelphia VCS-8. Serving as an aviation radio man and an aerial gunner, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism in Italy in 1944. In 1945 he received a fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in1949. Lee spent 2 additional years on a destroyer before attending flight school in 1951 in Pensacola, Florida, to become a pilot. After assignments with Patrol Squadrons 21 and 23 in Europe he and family returned to the US in 1960, then the Naval Academy in 1962 where he served as an instructor of thermodynamics. While in Annapolis in October of 1964 he invented and patented a snow making machine for his children.
In 1965 he attended George Washington University in Washington DC where he received his Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He published a book, "The Humidity and Dew Point of High Pressure Air". He was promoted to Commander and served 2 tours of duty in Viet Nam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal for service as executive officer of the US Naval Air Facility at Cam Ranh Bay in 1968 and 1969. He was subsequently assigned to the US Naval Station in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. After 30 years of service Commander Ramsey retired from the Navy in June 1971.
After retiring from the Navy he was accepted to the University Of South Carolina School Of Law and received his Juris Doctor. He moved to Tallahassee Florida where he built a solar home which was featured on the cover of Better Homes magazine.
In addition to his 2 siblings; surviving are his daughters, Deborah Adams (Mark; son Mark), Valerie M Baldwin(Phillip; son Paul, daughters Erica and Jessica), Johannah Stephens Gulka (daughter Natalie, sons Miles and Roy), Felicia Bellamy(Mark; son Bryan, daughter Brislan), Belinda Ramsey, CDR Cynthia Ramsey USN, Heather Decker(John; son John, daughters Maddox, Alexandra, and Sophie) and sons, Cecil Zeddy (Jeannie; daughter Brandi) and Lee M Ramsey Jr. (son Hudson, daughter Willow). In addition there are18 great grandchildren.
CDR Lee M Ramsey will have a military ceremony on March 19 at 1 pm at the Jacksonville National Cemetery located at 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (www.NMCRS.org).
Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000
Broadus-Raines Funeral Home
501 Spring Street
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
904-284-4000
Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News on Mar. 14, 2018