Riley C. Ramsey, 75, of New Concord, began a joke on Earth and finished it in heaven. He passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Ramsey was born June 17, 1949, in Riverside, California, to the late Ruth Evelyn Ziesler and John Riley Staggs.
He married Beverly Jeanne Ramsey, née Douglas, on Aug. 9, 1985, in Rialto, California. Their love story began at work. They met at Chino High School in Chino, California, where Mr. Ramsey was a computer science teacher. After 17 years of marriage, he moved his family to the dream home he and his wife designed together on the Kentucky Lake in New Concord. There they finished raising their children, played with their grandchildren and grew old together.
Mr. Ramsey was an educator for 42 years. He retired in 2014 as the assistant superintendent, director of pupil personnel and director of technology at the Webster County School District in Dixon, Kentucky. A champion of technology in education, Mr. Ramsey played a pivotal role in delivering fiber-optic internet to the district and county. He also served as secretary on the Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel.
A graduate of the University of California, Riverside, Mr. Ramsey began his career as an elementary school teacher. He was captivated early on by the potential of emerging personal computer technology and opened the first public high school computer lab in southern California. During his career, he taught computer science at the high school, adult education, and college level. In 1999, NBC4 in Los Angeles presented him with the Crystal Apple Award for excellence in teaching.
His interest in technology began as an enthusiast for modes of transportation and methods of communication. He had a private pilot license and was an amateur radio and model railroad enthusiast. He was ranked by the International Chess Federation, won local billiards tournaments and enjoyed traveling by RV with his wife and children.
He was a member of Paris First United Pentecostal Church in Tennessee. As a retiree, he cultivated a passion for connecting communities and elevating literacy. He served on the Calloway County Public Library Board of Trustees and helped secure funding for a nearly $8 million expansion project that more than doubled square footage available for library programming and collections.
To the end, Mr. Ramsey was known by his family as an authority on dad jokes. He died doing what he loved best—telling his doctor a corny pun.
Remaining to cherish Mr. Ramsey’s memory are his wife, Beverly; children, Timothy Allen, Heather Slauson (Loren), Daralyn Kirkpatrick (David) and Austin Ramsey (Kara); grandchildren, Skylar Allen (Krista), Darian VanDyke, Jasmin VanDyke, James VanDyke, Kailee Allen, Nick Slauson, Devin Slauson, Paige Slauson, Aidan Kirkpatrick, Graham Kirkpatrick and Juniper Ramsey; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nephews; nieces; great-nephews and great-nieces.
A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 1 in Community Room B at the Calloway County Public Library, 710 Main St., Murray, KY 42071. The event will offer friends, family and members of the community an opportunity to share a story or tell a dad joke.
Donations in Mr. Ramsey’s memory may be directed to the Friends of the Calloway County Public Library at callowaycountylibrary.org/friends-of-the-library.
Online condolences may be shared at imesfuneralhome.com.