Dr. James Ramirez: South Omaha’s Educator, Mentor, and Bridge-Builder
South Omaha wept in January when Dr. James F. Ramirez passed away earlier this year. At age 91, he left behind a legacy deeply rooted in our Latino community. Born on October 17, 1933, Ramirez was the son of immigrant parents and grew up in the packinghouse neighborhoods of South Omaha.
Dr. Ramirez’s path was not handed to him. He worked in South Omaha packing plants while taking night classes toward his degree. He graduated from Omaha South High School, then earned a bachelor’s degree from what was then Omaha University (later University of Nebraska–Omaha), followed by a master’s degree, and ultimately became among the first Latinos to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
His career spanned many roles, each tied to his passion for educational equity and community advocacy. He served as director for a Boys & Girls Club unit, instructor and counselor at UNO, and later as a Human/Community Relations Specialist for Omaha Public Schools.
Within OPS, Dr. Ramirez was instrumental in recruiting Hispanic teachers, a role that extended the promise of representation to children who rarely saw themselves in the classroom. His efforts ushered in generations of educators who would draw from his example of persistence, cultural pride, and service.
Beyond education, Dr. Ramirez was a community connector: a board member, advocate, mentor, and fixture at South Omaha events. In 2010, he was celebrated as a “Man of the People,” as described in a story written in Leo Adam Biga's My Inside Stories Those who worked with him describe him as a bridge-builder, someone who held institutions accountable while carrying South Omaha’s stories into power.
In death, his influence remains palpable. In Omaha’s Latino narrative, his presence is felt in every Hispanic educator who stands in a classroom, in every student told, “You belong here,” and in the countless lives shaped through his humility and action.
Do you know someone whose story should be told — a mentor, educator, entrepreneur, veteran, artist, or advocate who has made a lasting difference in the Latino community? Please share their name and a little about their journey with us.
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