Longtime Burnet leader Claude Ramsey Clinton Sr. dies May 24

Ramsey Clinton was born Feb. 24, 1925, in Waco, Texas – a fourth-generation Texan.

Ramsey served his country in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific before graduating from the University of Texas, where he met Emmy Jane Tittle, the love of his life for the last 62 years. They have three children, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A family man in every sense, Ramsey went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2014.

Upon graduating from the University of Texas, Ramsey joined his father to operate a quarry in Burnet, Texas, on behalf of Citizens National Bank of Waco. That began their 29-year business partnership until Sam Houston Clinton Sr.’s death in 1977.

Ramsey moved to Marble Falls in 1948 and then, in 1949, to Burnet, where he owned and operated Clinton Trucking Co., hauling limestone aggregate from his father’s rock quarry operation on the B. Pogue Ranch. Ramsey bought into the quarry operation, and he and his dad formed a partnership: Houston Clinton and Co. When Houston Clinton and Co. sold the rock quarry operation, the partnership purchased the adjacent Murchison Ranch and started a registered Hereford cattle operation. Later, the cattle operation was sold for a registered quarter horse operation. A National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame inductee sign for their cutting horse Alice Star still stands at the quarry entrance.

Ramsey once observed that he specialized in holes in the ground – the quarry that later moved across Hamilton Creek to the HR Ranch, Inner Space Cavern, of which he was one of the four founding owners, and Lakeland Hills Memorial Park on Park Road 4 near Burnet.

Believing it was the duty of every citizen to support a family, provide jobs for others and make a difference in his community, Ramsey was proud to be named Burnet’s Honor Citizen in 1970. He held numerous civic posts and served, among others: in the Burnet Rotary Club (a founding member and first president); at Epiphany Episcopal Church (lay reader, substitute preacher, senior warden); as a Burnet school board member (president); on the Burnet City Council (mayor, city councilman, planning and zoning member, instrumental in success of Burnet Airport, Galloway & Hammond City Park (now YMCA) and at the recently named Houston Clinton Rodeo Arena; with the Burnet Chamber of Commerce (president); on the Highland Lakes Tourist Association Board of Directors (chairman of Bluebonnet Trail and Operation Clean Scene); with the Burnet County Hospital Authority (president); with the Burnet Swim Team Parents (president); with the Valley Lodge #175 Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons (worshipful master, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, District Deputy Grand Master); on the Fort Hood Civilian Advisory Board; in the Austin Admirals Club (charter member); in the Capitol Area Council of Boy Scouts of America (lifetime member and supporter); in the Hedonia Club of Waco; with the Home State Bank of Marble Falls (director); and on the University of Texas Chancellors Council.

Ramsey was a lifelong Burnet Bulldogs sports fan and a supporter of the Texas Longhorns.

His three children graduated from both Burnet High School and the University of Texas, and Ramsey had a very deep affection for both institutions of learning. He started hiring young men from the Burnet public school system — “Ramsey’s Boys” as the mother of one called them. Ramsey had an involvement in the lives of these young men throughout their years in high school, college and beyond.

Ramsey lived his life consistently with the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel constantly … use words if necessary.”

Ramsey was preceded in death by his parents, Faye Ramsey Clinton and Sam Houston Clinton Sr. and his brother, Sam Houston Clinton Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Emmy Jane Tittle Clinton, and three children, Cleveland Guy Clinton (Rita), Claudia Ramsey Clinton Jones (Philip) and Claude Ramsey Clinton Jr. (Emily). Grandchildren include Charlotte Clinton, Cameron Clinton, Lair Jones Hughen (Justin), Cole Jones Lester (Ben), Emmy Jones Rogers (Jordan), Bess Jones Fontes (Graham), Caleb Jones, Simeon Jones, Caroline Jones, Claude Ramsey Clinton III (Caity), Pressly Clinton Smith (Zach), Ed Eskridge (Megan), Will Eskridge (Mady) and Murphy Eskridge Moellers (Matt). Ramsey was blessed with great-grandchildren, Andie Jane Hughen, Wil Hughen, Virginia Lester, Ramsey Rogers, Henry Fontes, Mary Miller Fontes and Evie Eskridge.

The Ramsey Clinton family is honored to have as pallbearers L.W. Carroll, Doak Field, Billy Inman, Ross Johnson, Bill Pell, Clyde Rhoads, Bob Shipley and Pip Sivakumar.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Rachel Bryson, Frank Denius, Richie Giesecke, Dr. Hudson Glimp, Lela Jo Goar, Ralph “Tookie” Ramsey Jr., Beauford Rowney, George Shoop, Goodhue Smith Sr. and Harry Whittington.

Visitation with the family will be at an open house 6-8 p.m. May 28 at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 601 N. Wood St. in Burnet. A celebration of life memorializing Ramsey is 4 p.m. May 29 at Hill Country Fellowship Church, 200 Houston Clinton Drive in Burnet. In true Ramsey form, barbecue and fond reminiscing will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Hill Country Community Foundation (c/o First State Bank of Burnet, P.O. Box 10, Burnet, TX 78611), where a scholarship will be established in Ramsey’s memory.

Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222. Go to www.clementswilcoxburnet.com to offer condolences.