LONG BEACH – John R. Ramsey, 80, died June 19, 2008, at his Long Beach residence cared for by the family he loved.

Born Sept. 11, 1927, in Seattle, he was the only child of Ralph and Anita (Hannu) Ramsey. He grew up in Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School. There he enjoyed sports, was starting varsity quarterback and was named to the all-city football team.

He spent his summers visiting the Hannu family on the Peninsula and fishing commercially out of Ilwaco with his aunt and uncle. Just prior to graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served his country during World War II. As a member of the Seabees he was stationed on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. His military duty over he initially returned to Seattle before moving to Ilwaco to try his luck fishing. As operator of The Little John he trolled for salmon during the season and worked the cranberries in the off-season at Cranguyma and other bogs.

Mr. Ramsey returned to Seattle for six years where he worked as an iron worker. The allure of the Peninsula beckoned him back and he returned to salmon trolling with his boat Vider. Ever the businessman, he gave up fishing and became owner/operator of Johnny’s Shell service station in Long Beach from 1963 until 1984, also operating a used car lot next door as Ramsey Auto Sales. When the video craze hit he established The Video Den in Long Beach in 1985, an enterprise he operated until retiring in 1996.

Mr. Ramsey was proud to be one of the founders of the Sports Boosters at Ilwaco High School. In past years he was a member of Long Beach Elks, Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department and the Disabled American Veterans. A skilled carpenter, he built his residence among other projects. He had been active coaching Little League and he always enjoyed trips to Reno.

He was a true “people person.” He literally never met a stranger and was blessed with a positive, upbeat personality. He was a mentor to a great many young people just starting out. His sense of humor was a delight to many and he always had a story, most of which were true.

He met Shirley Kroll in Long Beach while she was on her way to rollerskating at the old rink in downtown Long Beach. They were married March 4, 1949, and recently celebrated their 59th anniversary. In addition to his wife, survivors include his sons, John Ramsey Jr. and wife Margie of Long Beach and Kenneth Ramsey and wife Linda also of Long Beach; daughters, Diann Yunker and husband David of Long Beach and Terri Snedden and husband Larry of Longview; his grandchildren, Kristen (Yunker) and Joshua Scott, Troy and Melissa Ramsey, Joshua and Melinda Yunker, Beau and Cerissa Ramsey, Lindsey (Ramsey) and Danny Avalon, William Ramsey Smith, Jesse Ramsey, Jessica Smith, Mike Ramsey, Ashley (Yunker) and Jonah Sherman; great-grandchildren Trent, Tenyson and Tiana Ramsey, Coen and Allie Ramsey, Brodie and Braden Avalon, and Hailey Yunker; brother and sister-in-laws Ernie and Susan Kroll, Darlene (Kroll) Rauthaug, Ed and Shirley Kroll. He was preceded in death by his daughter and son-in-law Debra and Alan Rogers, grandson Clint Ramsey, brother-in-law Jeffrey Kroll and sister-in-law Nettie Lee (Kroll) Zimmerman.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m., at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. A luncheon reception follows at the church. The family requests memorials in his memory to Harbors Home Hospice, 210 7th St., Hoquiam, WA 98550. The guest book is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.