Former Mayor Carlos Ramirez Dies Early Saturday Morning
EL PASO — Former Mayor of El Paso Carlos Ramirez died early Saturday morning, less than a day after suffering a heart attack.
His wife, Kenna Ramirez, said the former Mayor died at about 1 a.m. El Paso time in Spain, where he was receiving treatment for Frontotemporal Dementia. Ramirez served as El Paso’s mayor from June, 1997 to June, 2001.
Mrs. Ramirez said she noticed a change in her husband’s behavior and speech about two years after his term as mayor. Originally misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004, the former mayor was diagnosed with FTD in 2005 and went to Spain for treatment.
ABC-7 spoke with former City Council member and long-time Ramirez friend, Larry Medina who was upset by Saturday’s news. He said in addition to treasuring Ramirez’ friendship, it was his forward-thinking for the future of El Paso that Medina will never forget.
Medina remembered Ramirez’ plans for water conservation when El Paso faced the prospect of running out of potable water within a 20-year timeframe. He added that Ramirez worked tirelessly to make the desalination plant in El Paso’s East side a reality.
“The mayor’s legacy is going to be one of tenderness. He managed that position of mayor with a lot of kindness, respect for the position, respect for the citizens and the city. One thing that I will always remember about Carlos Ramirez the mayor and Carlos Ramirez the man is that it was the same one,” Medina added.
Kenna Ramirez said she will have her husband’sbody cremated in Spain, then have his ashes brought back to El Pasowhere they will beburiedat Fort Bliss.
