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Dero Saunders Ramsey, Sr., 95, passed away April 19, 2024 at The Goldton assisted living community. Born June 17, 1928 in Starkville to George Bancroft Ramsey, Jr. and Louise Saunders Ramsey, he was educated in the Starkville schools graduating from Starkville High School in 1946, and receiving both bachelors and masters degrees from Mississippi State University. He completed his doctoral work at the University of Wisconsin in 1957 and was a graduate of the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Dero had a heart for MSU where he was a professor of Dairy Science for over 30 years and took a great interest in the young people he taught. In 1957, he and 5 other men drove to Oklahoma at the request of Dr. Ben Hilbun, president of MSU at the time, to see an IBM 650. That was the first computer purchased for the MSU campus. It was the size of three refrigerators and took a crane and the removal of two windows to install.
Dero saw active duty as a member of the U.S. Army in the Korean War where he received the purple heart, silver star, and legion of merit award. He spent many post-war summers declassifying documents at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
Dero’s life focused around his Lord, his church, his family, and teaching. As a 74 year member of First Presbyterian Church, Starkville, he taught a young adult and couples class with his wife Adelaide for over 50 years. Church missions, both local and foreign, were a priority for him. He served FPC faithfully as a deacon and elder numerous times and was conferred the title of Elder Emeritus in 2005.
His family was his refuge. He met the love of his life, Adelaide, when they were teenagers. Their love of Christ was the common bond they shared for over 72 years of marriage. Dero’s military peers would tell Adelaide how much respect they had for him and how his compassion and faith showed in his leadership. He thought carefully before speaking and when he did speak, his words carried meaning. He was a master storyteller and loved sharing stories with his grandsons and great grandson. He was always available for a visit.
In retirement, Dero was a master gardener and especially enjoyed growing and transplanting roses from old family flower beds, some over 100 years old.
Dero was preceded in death by his wife, Adelaide, in 2022, and his brother George Ramsey, lll. He is survived by his sons, Lawrence Arnold Ramsey and Dero Saunders (Sandy) Ramsey, Jr., grandsons, Dero Saunders Ramsey, lll (Jordan), and Christopher Brooks Ramsey (Robin Shows), great grandson, Ryan Saunders Ramsey, and Brenden, Bryce, and Kenidy Shows, one niece and one nephew.
The family wishes to express their many thanks to Shakiya Slaughter and Peggy Clark for their loving care, attention, and compassion the past five years to Dero and Adelaide at the Goldton.
A memorial service for both Dero and Adelaide will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Starkville, Thursday, May 23 at 11:00. A time of visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:45-10:45.
Dero’s memory may be honored by giving to the First Presbyterian Church of Starkville, 307 University Drive, Starkville, MS 39759, Palmer Home for Children, 800 Baldwin Rd., South , Lake Cormorant, MS 38641, or to a charity of choice.
