Ramsey, Thomas E. (1901-1950)

RAMSEY, OVERTURF, GARDNER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/15/2018 at 09:11:14

Ottumwa Daily Courier
Ottumwa, Iowa
July 25, 1950

Police Too Late To Prevent Suicide
Tom Ramsey, 49, of 221 South Ransom street, died of self-inflicted gun wounds about 3:45 a.m. today.

The suicide came despite a 15-minute warning and a search by police for the man who had left his home with a shotgun.

Police received a call at 3:16 a.m. that Ramsey had taken a gun and left the house. Squad cars rushed to the neighborhood, but were unable to find the man before he had put the gun to his head and killed himself, in an alley behind the neighboring house.

Coroner Gordon Traul said Ramsey had worked for John Morrell & Co., in the tank room. He quoted Mrs. Ramsey as saying her husband was extremely worried about his health. He had lost weight, dropping from 170 to 135 pounds, in recent weeks. Although doctors had assured him he was not seriously ill, he had become very nervous.

Glen Dye, 237 West Williams street, Kenneth Crisman, 221 South Ransom street, and Earl Proctor, 233 South Ransom street, heard the shot, and called police to the scene.

Traul said there will be no inquest. The body was taken to the Johnson funeral chapel.

Ramsey was the son of William and Mary Gardner Ramsey, born in Fremont, Iowa, July 13, 1901. He had been a resident of the community for 30 years. He served in the Navy between the two World wars.

He and Leila Overturf were married October 1, 1921, in Ottumwa. She survives him. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Esther Chrisman and Mrs. Helen Dye, of Ottumwa and Miss Elaine Ramsey at home. A son, Thomas, also survives, as does a brother, Logan Ramsey of Floris, and a sister, Mrs. Dora Oliver of Fort Madison. Also surviving is a half-brother, Gerald Ramsey, of Ottumwa.

His parents and one brother preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral chapel, in the charge of Rev. T. A. Tousley of First Church of the Open Bible. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn cemetery.