Esgardo (Lalo) M. Ramirez, 64, of Incline Village, passed away April 19, 2013. He was born August 9, 1948, in Calexico, California, to Hector and Maria Ramirez. He attended schools in Imperial Valley, California graduating from Calexico High School and Imperial Valley College. He enlisted in the United States Air Force upon his high school graduation and served 4 years of active duty and 2 years in the reserves. He was a Vietnam veteran.

After his military service, he and his father co-owned a trucking business, importing and exporting products to Mexico. He was later employed as a plant advisor with several fertilizer firms in Imperial Valley before securing employment with the Home Depot in the San Diego area. He was instrumental in being one the first persons employed by the Home Depot to open new stores in Southern California. While employed by Home Depot, he was selected to participate in the opening of new stores in Santiago, Chile—an experience that he proudly shared. He retired from the Home Depot in 2005.

Lalo and his family relocated to Incline Village in 2007. While in Incline, he let his hair grow so that he could donate it to Locks of Love to honor his mother who had breast cancer.

Lalo lived life with joy. He would often be seen hiking through Incline talking and sharing experiences with many of the people he met along the way. There wasn’t anyone that he ever met that would not feel a special bond with him. He loved life and was interested in making it fun for all of us.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Angelica R. Rodriguez, and his parents, Hector and Maria Ramirez.

Lalo is survived by his wife, Beatriz of 40 years; his daughters, Sandra A. Turner of Hemet, CA and Diana E. Ramirez , his grandson/adopted son, Carlos A. Rodriguez both of Incline; his grandchildren, Raina and David Simms of Hemet; and Maria Ramirez of Incline; his sisters—Rosalinda Cota, Angelita Zuniga, and Artemisa Cervantes; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service was held on Friday, April 26 at Veterans’ Hospital Chapel in Reno followed by a reception at the Crystal Bay Casino in Crystal Bay.

The family would like to thank the staffs at the Veteran’s Administration office and hospital, Reno; and the staff at the Renown Medical Center for their kindness and support.