Obituary​

Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present

Stephen Lafon Ramsey
​June 18, 1950 - February 11, 2023

Stephen Lafon Ramsey of Collierville, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, February 11th, 2023. For 72 years, Steve lived a life filled with passion and adventure.

He was born to the late Robert and Eugenia Ramsey on June 18, 1950, in Somerset, Kentucky. His love for adventure began at a young age. As a boy, Steve lived in Nicaragua and was able to speak fluent Spanish. He was even able to acquire exotic pets like a monkey and an ocelot, named Spot. After several moves, his family landed in Memphis where Steve attended White Station High School, graduating in 1968. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Business Administration at Memphis State University where he was part of Pi Kappa Alpha and graduated in 1973. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church where he came to know and follow Christ.

Steve had a love for aviation his entire life. In 1977, he became a bag handler at Southern Airways where he met and fell in love with his wife, Cheryl. While there, he was a flight instructor and would ferry airplanes to build his flight time. He started his commercial airline career in 1981 with Sunbelt Airlines. He landed his dream job flying for FedEx in 1995 where he retired as an Airbus Captain in 2015. Steve couldn't stay grounded for long though and went on to fly corporate aviation after retirement.

Affectionately known as The Ram, Steve was deeply committed to his family, friends, and flying. He had an innate ability to connect with everyone he met, never meeting a stranger. His gentle heart, rambunctious energy, extreme wit, and love for adventure made him a friend to many over his lifespan.

In his younger years, Steve was known to take his buddies up in the air. He gave many of his friends the bug for flying and instructed them to become professional airline pilots themselves. Flying took him all over the globe allowing him to experience different cultures, cuisines, and adventures. After 40 years of flying and 20 years with FedEx, Steve continued experiencing and loving the skies up until the week he flew west one last time.

Steve was also an avid boater. When he wasn't in the air or doting over his grandchildren, you could find him out on Pickwick Lake. He loved going fast, making all his passengers hold on tight. He adored his sons and was known to talk about them constantly until his grandchildren arrived and took over his conversations. One of his greatest honors was being called Pops. When on land, you could find Steve cheering them on from the stands, creating memories at Mops Camp, and making them belly laugh for hours.

Steve is survived and loved by his wife of almost 43 years, Cheryl Ramsey. He leaves behind two sons, Preston (Shelby) and Phillip (Elisabeth); his five grandchildren, Macallen, Price, Porter, Walker, and Madelyn; younger brother Mark Ramsey (Carol); and many cousins he loved dearly; as well as his beloved pets Milly, Yuka, and Jingles.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Valley Church in Collierville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 2 PM with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, Collierville Animal Shelter, Memphis Food Bank, or a charity of their choice in Steve's honor.

Published by The Daily Memphian on Feb. 14, 2023.