I try not to overuse the word great, but we lost a great man today, Claude Ramsey.
I had the pleasure of serving under him as director of Commercial and Industrial Properties for 14 years while he was the Hamilton County Assessor of Property.
He was probably the smartest person I have ever known. He was tough but patient, kind, caring and compassionate.
He knew how to get the best out of just about everyone. As an employee you just didn't want to disappoint him.
He always encouraged me to be the best, especially when it came to my job.
He challenged me to get all the professional designations that I could attain.
He said to me many times that we work hard and we play hard.
He treated Donna and me like family. If I really needed him all I had to do was pick up the phone.
I have a ton of wonderful memories of him when we worked and when we played, especially on the golf course.
We took a lot of trips together for both business and pleasure.
Sometimes we would be talking at bedtime and he would go off to sleep. About 5 in the morning he would wake up and ask if I was awake. If I said yes he would pick up the conversation right where he left off the night before.
I can finally tell the truth, "Boss", your snoring did keep me awake.
He will be missed by a multitude of people from all walks of life from our great state.
I am so glad I got to speak with him before he passed away.
Jim Gattis