Remembering Claude Ramsey

  • Monday, June 18, 2018

Chattanooga and Hamilton County has lost one of the best men that has ever held any office anywhere at anytime. Claude Ramsey a simple man who believed anything could be accomplished if you worked hard and treated people good.

I remember meeting Claude at age 20 after moving to the big city after growing up in rural Rhea County. I was working at Turner Funeral Home and Claude brought my boss Bookie Turner several vegetables while he was visiting a family at the funeral home. After speaking with Claude for several minutes I immediately felt comfortable and knew he was a great man. I will always blame him for bringing those vegetables to us because it made Bookie want a large garden in a vacant lot behind the Dodds Avenue chapel where I had to work till dark every night.

Later on I told him several times how Bookie was always saying to me that Claude Ramsey would be a great governor one day and Claude would always say to me that he couldn't win a foot race much less a governor's race.

Our area should always remember this great man and all the things he has done for our city and county. I was very blessed to have met him at a early age and seeing with my own eyes, a country boy like me, that could succeed in the big city and never forget where he started.

Thank you, Claude Ramsey, for being nice to a kid who thought you were going to be the governor according to Bookie. You will be missed by everyone. Hit them straight and long old buddy!!

Rick Mincy 
Lookout Valley


Opinion
Jerry Summers: Those Who Ignore History!
Jerry Summers: Those Who Ignore History!
  • 7/7/2025

A recent discovery of Volume 2 of “The History of Hamilton County and Chattanooga, Tennessee” by Zella Armstrong (1940- The Lookout Publishing Company) presents a poignant reminder that what ... more

Senator Blackburn: On AI, Congress Just Provided A Huge Win For Children, Creators And Conservatives
  • 7/7/2025

Last week, the Senate passed President Trump’s landmark legislation to make America great again, the One Big Beautiful Bill. Among its provisions, there is so much to celebrate: The largest tax ... more

Plan Hamilton – Can We Learn From Others?
  • 7/7/2025

Over the past few months, we’ve learned that Hamilton County allows higher density and smaller lot sizes in our rural areas than any of our peer counties in Tennessee. It is easy to understand ... more