Merlin James Ramsey, 83, of Tomotla, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born Jan. 8, 1938, in Cherokee County to the late Sherdan and Cordia Gibson Ramsey of Murphy.
He served in the United States Air Force beginning in 1957 and participated in Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.
He was an entrepreneur; owning Merlin Ramsey Crane Service, and he previously owned a body shop. He was a vintage car enthusiast, former race car owner and driver, and he owned a Ferris Wheel that can be seen from Highway 19/74.
Merlin was an avid pilot. He loved flying airplanes and mastered the Swift at 83 years old.
He loved dancing, attending Jimmy’s Pickin’ Grin weekly. He enjoyed attending car shows, entering his 1937 Ford Rat Rod and multiple other vintage vehicles because of his nostalgic love for the culture that goes along with their histories.
He was a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Merlin always looked in the morning and would say, “It’s a good day to fly.”
He was preceded in death by his first son, Kent James Ramsey.
He is survived by his children, Marilyn “Tootie” Williams and husband, Phillip of Oil City, Pa., and Aaron Ramsey of Murphy; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
No service will be held until a later date when a Celebration of Life will be planned.
Until then, “Fly high, Daddy.”