Al Ramsey, 72, passed away unexpectedly at his home on November 4. Al was born in San Jose, CA to Jack and Bernice (Ladd) Ramsey. He moved with his family to Oakdale in 1965 and resided there until his death. He graduated from Oakdale High School in 1968 and later from Modesto Junior College. During Vietnam, Al was a Corpsman with the United States Naval Reserve. He was a retired mechanic from Oakdale Irrigation District. Al loved engines and mechanics and had quite a collection of cars and heavy equipment.

When he wasn’t turning a wrench he was busy volunteering. Al was an integral part of the high impact of Advancing Vibrant Communities from the very beginning—a ministry dedicated to connecting volunteers with opportunities to serve the needs of others and the community by “loving your neighbor as yourself.” His dedication to serving others through AVC included constant prayer, serving on teams to wipe out gang graffiti in heavy gang areas, construction projects, and several massive street and alleyway clean-ups in the Modesto’s Airport Neighborhood. Al was a hard-working volunteer with other ministries and congregations as well, serving for many years with Modesto’s Habitat for Humanity, First Baptist Church, Big Valley Grace Community Church, and First United Methodist Church. His service to congregations included being a sound technician, a church bus driver, participant in missions trips to Mexico, volunteer security, and singles ministries participant. He also lent his expertise and his own heavy equipment to the physical development of River Oak Grace Community Church in Oakdale.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Bernice Ramsey, and a brother, Carl Ramsey. He is survived by his sister, Judi Tergeson (Ed) of Colorado; his niece Erica Tergeson of Virginia; nephew U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Clint (Ashleigh) Tergeson of Washington; great nieces Lark and Helenne; great nephew Kip Tergeson; and very dear friends Pastor Michael and Lori Douglass.

Al Ramsey’s graveside service will be held at Turlock Memorial Park on Saturday, January 28, at 10 a.m. (575 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock). His family requests that memorials be made to the ministry that became so much a part of Al’s life: Advancing Vibrant Communities, 605 15th St., Suite B, Modesto, CA 95354.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News

Jan. 25, 2023