Where Are They Now?

Some of Dublin graduate Jr.

Ramirez’ best memories from his childhood are of time spent with his father, Jesus Ramirez. Starting when he was 8, Ramirez would tag along when his dad went to work on a dairy, and developed a love for farm work.

When his dad was off work, he would teach Ramirez how to play instruments and they would play in a family band together. “I liked hanging out with my dad, so I liked whatever I was doing when I was with him,” Ramirez said.

In the years since, Ramirez has followed in his father’s footsteps, and now works on a dairy himself. In his free time, he continues to play in a worship band with his family.

Ramirez graduated from Dublin High School in 2004 and started work at McNutt Brothers Dairy near Dublin, where his dad had worked for many years. Ramirez started out operating a tractor for the dairy. He loved the job, and stayed there for ten years.

In 2014 he took a job at Aurora Organic Dairy, where he continues driving tractors as well as operating the vacuum. His work begins before sunrise, and he spends six days a week on the farm.

He appreciates the opportunity for advancement at his job. “There’s room to grow here,” he said. “You’re not gonna have to stay in one position. You can always move up.”

He has no plans of leaving the dairy. “They treat us well,” he said.

When he’s not working, Ramirez enjoys working as a sound technician for the worship band at his church, Iglesia De Dios, tu Iglesia. “Since I was 18 or 19, I liked the idea of setting up speakers and stuff and getting an event started, micing up the drums and setting up guitars,” he said.

In addition to working as a sound tech, Ramirez has been playing instruments since he was a child. His dad taught him drums, and then later he picked up bass guitar and keyboard. Ramirez enjoyed playing in a band with family. His dad Jesus sang and played the bajo quinto, a type of guitar originating in Mexico. His sister Belen played the accordion and his brother Enrique played drums. Ramirez himself would play the bass guitar.

The family still plays together in the worship band, which also includes other members of the church.

Ramirez and his family, including his parents Jesus and Agustina, still live in Dublin. Ramirez has four children, Susie, 19, Isaac, 15, Zachary, 12, and Samuel 5, all of whom attend or have graduated from Dublin schools.

Ramirez’ advice to Dublin graduates is to go for their goals, even if they don’t feel fully supported. “Any little dream you have, go for it,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be a big thing.”

He also emphasized the importance of faith. “Find the time to have a relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said.

No matter the challenges in life, Ramirez stays strong in his faith and keeps a good attitude. “Just know that there’s better things to come in the future, and keep being positive and being patient,” he said.

Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen. com.