“We have the best job in the world.” -Garrett E. Ramos
Garrett loved being a firefighter and would not have wanted to dedicate his life to any other profession. On December 4, 2021, Garrett gave the ultimate sacrifice when he died fighting a house fire.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Garrett began his career at the North Charleston Fire Department in Charleston, South Carolina, a place he had loved since vacationing there with his family as a child. He was drawn to the beauty of the area, surfing the beaches every chance he had. In 2012, he returned to his hometown, where he served his community at the Sterling Fire Department and built a life centered around what mattered most to him, his family.
He married his best friend, Brittney, and they traveled around the world together before the birth of their daughters, Ruthie and Kepa. A devoted and loving husband and father, he relished every moment with his girls, whether painting their nails, taking them to park, or caring for them when they were sick. His patience, unconditional love, and humor made him the best husband and father.
Being back in his hometown allowed Garrett to spend more time with his parents, Ed and Jeannie, and his sister, Jennifer, along with his nieces and nephew. He valued any time he was able to spend with them, especially weeknight dinners or attending his niece’s play performances or nephew’s baseball games. As his niece told him, Garrett was the unicorn among the horses of uncles.
Garrett started each day with a positivity and happiness that others wanted to emulate. He appreciated the small things in life—a round of golf with friends, a relaxing day at home with his girls, and evenings sitting on our patio listening to music and watching the sunset. He embraced every person that came into his life—neighbors, coworkers, or someone he just met. He was endlessly generous with his time. In addition to nearly ten years of service at the Sterling Fire Department, he served as the union president for Local 2301, where he created a local scholarship for high school students and coordinated many fundraising opportunities. Garrett was motivated and excited to further his career, recently attending Fire Officer I training. His leadership, knowledge, and positivity are missed daily by his coworkers. Having served as acting captain for the past year, he was posthumously promoted to captain.
To know Garrett was to love him. His smile was contagious, and his laughter was infectious. The joy and humor he brought to every situation is deeply missed. His light in this world will continue to shine through his daughters.
Our hearts ache to see your smile and to hear your laugh. Your time on Earth was unfairly short, but your impact is far greater than anyone I have ever known. The legacy you left will live on forever. Thanks for truly making us all better people. We will forever love and miss you. I know our hearts will be complete when we meet again.
– Jamie DawesOur dearest Garrett,
– Sharon K. FuglestadYour light will forever shine in all of our hearts. I can hardly say just how much your loss has affected me and my family! Simply a stellar man, human being who showed kindness and compassion to each one of us and especially to me with the loss of my Kevin! I will always hold your sweet words to me forever in my heart! You are missed each and every day, the infectious smile and laugh and the kindness man ever!! ❤️
Garrett was many things to me; my co-worker, leader, mentor, teacher, doctor, accountant, confidant, travel agent, and coach (on and off the golf course). But most importantly to me, he was my friend. I will forever cherish the time we spent together, the deep conversations and the great laughs. He will continue to be one of the most influential people in my life, a leading example in what it means to be a man, a husband, a father, and a truly great person.
Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you, sometimes with tears, but lately with a smile. I will continue to carry your memory with me for the rest of my life. You are one of the greatest heroes of my life.
I miss you Garrett.
“I’ll see ya in the morning.”
Love – Mikey
– Mike LiedbergI am grateful to have had you in my and my late Gabby’s Life. While I have just a few memories of your Sterling, IL childhood days, your time in Charleston, SC as a dedicated firefighter are what comes to mind–I got to experience you as a grown man with vision, passion and a zest for Life. What good times Gabby and I had with you during our visits when you were with the North Charleston FD. I think of you daily, dear nephew. Always heartfelt love from your Uncle Kevin.
– Kevin D. McKeeOur hearts ache as we watch your girls try to navigate life without you. We miss your smile and your infectious laughter. You were truly the most amazing man. We will never forget you.
– Liz and Sue RobertsI had a unique look into Garrett’s firefighting career as a photographer on many scenes. Not only did he always show the upmost bravery but he also showed great leadership and skill in all he did. As one who looks often into this family of firefighters, I have seen the impact Garrett has had and will continue to be on those left behind. My favorite memory on a scene with G was at a recycling center call. As I arrived on scene, he and I crossed paths and he asked if I had seen any of the staff when I drove in. I told him no but offered to walk over to the office nearby and see if anyone was there. He looked down at my feet (I was wearing new tennis shoes) and said “No way, not in those shoes, you’ll get them all dirty!” He laughed as he walked away. I too laughed and went about my photography. My shoes are always the least of my concerns when I’m on a scene. But that amidst his own duties he would pay that close of attention to my shoes and voice his concern showed me a caring heart you don’t always get to see. You are missed by all G; even those of us outside the SFD family saw your passion in everything you did. Thanks for being you.
– HEATHER SMITHBeing your sibling and having you as my only sibling has been one of life’s greatest gifts.
For all intents and purposes, if you know one of us, you know the other. We grew up in the same house and have the same views. We share mannerisms and demeanor. We went to the same college, got the same degree, and waited tables at the same restaurant. The day you were born, I became a sister, second mom, friend, and confidant to the best human.
The memories and shared experiences are endless but this one is a forever favorite:
Saturday, December 16, 2006, we dined with our parents at the Olive Garden (the OG!) after your ISU commencement ceremony. We were both servers there during our college years and we indulged in one final meal. Your best friend, Rob, was our server and we ordered with reckless abandon – appetizers, deserts, bottles of wine. As a family, we had a lot to celebrate. It was our parents’ wedding anniversary and as a family we were entering the next chapter of our lives with both of us through college. When the bill was presented, we quickly grabbed it as we wanted to treat our parents. However, inside was a note to our parents from the GM, Tammy Dunbar. She comp’d our entire bill and expressed her gratitude to Jeannie and Ed for their two amazing children and said how different the OG was going to be without a Ramos there.
To me, this story truly represents our family (celebrating all of life’s moments together) and represents “us” (one girl and one boy but two solid, dedicated, and charismatic people of integrity).
Your departure from this earth has been life-altering. For you know me and I know you in a way that is uniquely ours… we are cut from the same cloth.
I love you, G.
– Jennifer (Ramos) Brannon