John Joseph Ringer, Sr.

John Joseph Ringer, Sr., 95, passed from this life to his everlasting life with his Lord on December 7, 2023.  He was loved and survived by his wife Lou Ites Ringer for 73 years, along with their five greatest accomplishments: John Joseph Ringer, Jr. (wife Joyce), Lou Ann Ringer O’Roark (husband Danny), Robin Ringer Dahlheim (husband JD), Monica Ringer Rosenberg (husband Bill) and Philip Travis Ringer (wife Darla). Fondly known as the “Fab Five.” John and Lou also have 10 grandchildren and 5 great grands: John Ringer lll (wife Kathy), Mollie Becker, Graceanne Becker, Hunter Jones (wife Teresa), Jessica Stanley (husband James), Morgan Dahlheim, Miles Rosenberg, Ian Ringer, Peyton Ringer and Steven Ringer. The great grands: Brady Jones, Cade Jones, Addison Stanley, Luke Stanley and Walker Stanley.

John and Lou were married July 8, 1950, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, in Galveston, Texas. He gave his family unconditional love, care, and security while growing up.

John was BOI (Born on the Island) February 26, 1928, to James and Ruth Ringer. He graduated from Ball High School in 1946.

In his youth, John was a shoeshine boy for WWII servicemen that landed in Galveston on the wharf, and he also sold the Galveston newspapers on the streets.  John was an excellent carpenter just like Saint Joseph.  His dad died young, and John built his mother a home in LaMarque, TX even making all of the windows. It was an amazing accomplishment for a 19-year-old. All his children have benefited from his carpentry talents.

John found it necessary to move his family to Texas City, TX during the construction of the causeway as the draw bridge was making him late for work. He immediately became a beloved member of his Catholic Church, St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal.  He was given a church medal from the Serra Club for being the oldest altar boy in the Galveston Houston Diocese. He rode his bike to daily Mass and served as an altar boy. He was also an active member in St. Mary’s men’s club. He was voted Ambassador of the Year for all his hard work in the TC/LM Chamber of Commerce.

John and Lou loved their friends in Texas City and traveled the world with them. They were also in a dance club that met once a month for over 40 years. They were excellent dancers, if they heard music, they were dancing.

John’s life will forever be celebrated by his family and friends as they go forward with their lives, living with confidence that he is at restful peace in heaven with Jesus, and they rejoice in their remembrance of the integrity and fullness in which he lived his life. Some of his finest and most memorable achievements were alongside and caring for his family. There were always Ringer gatherings for every holiday, birthday, and family vacations. He walked each daughter down the aisle for their weddings and even one granddaughter. He coached all of us in baseball or softball. He built all our props for plays, senior nights and proms. He even built the library at the Catholic school we all attended, Our Lady of Fatima. 

No one was a bigger Astro fan than John. He either attended games or was front and center for every game in his recliner. It makes us happy he got to see them win two World Series. He was an avid fisherman and loved crabbing, shrimping and oystering with friends. He was on the Monsanto bowling team and bowled every Tuesday for 60 years. He attended fire school at Texas A&M and several members of his family graduated there. He enjoyed watching the Fighting Texas Aggies play football.

John is preceded in death by his parents James and Ruth Hayman Ringer; brothers: Louis Ringer (wife Elizabeth), Anthony Ringer (wife Adeline); sisters: Christine Coppola (husband Fred), Lillie Mann (husband Harold).

Our story, our faith, has no end. The end of this earthly existence does not mean the end for us. But the beginning of something different, something better, something lasting…true life.

Well done, good and faithful servant. For the Christian at death the candle is not extinguished. It is gently blown out because the dawn has come.

Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 15, 2023, at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church with Father Clint Ressler officiating. A reception will follow the memorial mass in the Ponzini Hall.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal. 1604 9^th Avenue North Texas City, TX 77590.