David Ramsey

David Ramsey was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 1, 1947, to Richard Dean Ramsey and Virginia Harris Ramsey. He passed away in Hammond, Louisiana, on September 11, 2024. When David was just an infant, his parents moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where his father became a preacher for 7th and Camp Church of Christ. The family then moved to Ponchatoula, to Covington, and finally settled in Hammond. David graduated from Hammond High School in 1965. He then pursued his BA at Southeastern, majoring in English. Then followed a master's degree in English from Vanderbilt, a second master's degree in linguistics from Leeds University in the UK, and finally a Ph.D. in communications from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

After a year as technical writer for Halliburton in Duncan, Oklahoma, David returned to his Louisiana roots as assistant professor in the College of Business at Southeastern Louisiana University. He remained with Southeastern until his retirement in 2011, after 30 years of service. In addition to being a college professor, David was active in several other areas. He followed in his grandfather's and father's footsteps as a preacher for various churches of Christ, including the 7th and Camp church of Christ in New Orleans that both his grandfather and father had preached for. He followed up his year of active military service for the Navy in Vietnam with service in the Navy reserve and later with service in the National Guard Reserve and the Army Reserve. By the time he was able to retire with 20 years of service, he had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

David was quite active in his community, interested and involved in politics and in the Chamber of Commerce. He always loved to sing and to lead singing when area churches organized song services. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to new people. So, not surprisingly, he also liked to travel, both in the United States and across the world.

For such an outgoing individual as David, it was a drastic change when he sustained a severe brain injury in 2015.  He had to spend his remaining nine years in a wheelchair, unable to walk and almost unable to talk or write.

He loved his family, most of all his grandchildren. They never failed to put a smile on his face even when he had to look at pictures of them instead of being able to interact with them in person.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Virginia Ramsey. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Birgitta, his son Carl (Jennifer), his daughter Anna, and his grandchildren Natali, Matthew, Madison, and Isabella.

David's life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation beginning at 11:00 AM until the funeral service begins at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private at a later date.

The family asks that you consider a gift in memory of David to Colorado Christian Services, Southeastern Louisiana University Development Foundation, or a charity that is dear to your heart.