Ginger Ramage… “It was ALL a highlight”

It is with collective heavy heart we have to share the sad news of the passing of Ginger Ramage.

RADM James “Jig Dog” Ramage is a well known and highly respected member of the Tailhook Association, equally revered in our history is his lovely bride, Ginger. 

Ginger epitomized the “Navy Wife”, loyal, dedicated, strong, humorous, passionate, independent, and generous. For 45 years James and Ginger stood together taking care of our navy, our navy’s sailors and our navy’s history.  And for many more years shared their love for us here at Tailhook and at the Association of Naval Aviation which he co-founded.

Upon hearing the news there was a collective gasp from all in attendance at the Awards Luncheon named in Jig Dog’s honor, we were all saddened and immediately reminded of the strength our spouses provide to all of us in this great community.  Our hearts, and prayers go out to all who knew Ginger she will be missed dearly, and remembered fondly by all of us in Tailhook.

Our prayers especially go out to “Jig Dog,’ please know you are certainly not alone in your grieving, we will miss Ginger’s smiling eyes and laughing spirit.  We thank you for allowing us all to get to know Ginger these many years.

Upon hearing this sad news, I was reminded of last year’s Hook, when Kathy Schmoldt sent me an email detailing her interaction with Jig Dog and Ginger republished below.

"Jig Dog" for whom the awards luncheon is named for, and his beautiful wife Ginger were sitting next to the registration desk after they walked every aisle of the booths. I asked if I could take their picture and they both just beamed.  And they stated that they were more than happy to share information for the Daily Briefing.

I asked him, "What was the highlight of your career?"

And with no adjectives verbs or anything, he rattled this off:

"Commanding Officer of Bombing 10 USS Enterprise, Battle of Philippines Sea June 19 & 20, 1944!"

Kathy continues...

I then asked Ginger, what was the highlight of her "career?"

She smiled slyly and said, "It was ALL a highlight!"

They were married in Rome in 1964 where he said that culture's 'rules' were:
#1  Husband was head of household
#2  Everything owned was the husband's
#3  Everywhere he went, she went

I thanked him for his service to our country and with a humble smile, he nodded at me.  Then I thanked her for her service, too. She said, "Oh, I was just in it for the paycheck !"

Not to let that go... "Jig Dog" was quick to point out, "And she got 100% of it!"

They both exuded sunshine with their giggles and smiles and adoration for each other.

I explained once more that this could possibly be posted on the Internet, to which she said, "Oh, we have nothing to hide in our lives."  He quickly interjected, "Maybe not in YOUR life..."

We are all better people for having known Ginger.  She will be missed.

God Bless you Ginger, thank you.

Comments

[The Boss]

I was just getting ready to remind you of this post...you have a great memory, John.

I am so VERY happy to have met this gracious, beautiful, intelligent lady.
That photo was obviously taken in front of one of the Tailhook booths, but the interview was done the following day in the lobby of the Nugget.
I was walking through the lobby with my coffee and Ginger recognized me,(this was after meeting her briefly and taking their photo the day before), called me by name, and motioned me over to where they were sitting. We visited for quite sometime before I asked permission to do the "interview" and post it on my blog.

Thanks for remembering, John.