James Ramage

Dr. James Wesley Ramage PhD. NORTHPORT | Dr. James Wesley Ramage, PhD., age 83, of Northport, died August 30, 2014, at home. Services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North, with Rev. John Verciglio officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the funeral home. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Thomas Henderson Ramage and Florence Gazelle Westmoreland Ramage; three brothers, Thomas Ottis, Martis Donald, and Charles Bruce Ramage. Survivors include his wife of 59 � years, Margaret Wynette Moore Ramage of Northport, Ala.; daughters, Deborah Yvonne Ramage Palmer (Phil) of Northport, Ala., and Margaret Elizabeth ""Beth"" Ramage Snider (Ted) of Brookwood, Ala.; son, James Wesley Ramage II. (Teresa); three grandchildren, Robert Van Jagoe Jr. (Stacy), William Hunter Snider, Wesley Jordon Snider (Kristen); great-grandchild, Avram Jagoe; two sisters-in-law; and several nephews and nieces. Dr. James W. Ramage died August 30, 2014 from a heart attack. He was born December 19, 1930, in Potts Camp, Mississippi, but grew up in Nettleton, Miss. He was the second of four children born to the late James Thomas Henderson Ramage and Florence Gazelle Westmoreland Ramage. Dr. Ramage was drafted into the United Stated Air Force after graduating Nettleton High School in 1950. After serving four years of active duty, he continued to serve his country in various capacities, with the AL State Defense Force, Air Force National Guard, former Commander of Civil Air Patrol and Reserve, in the grade of Colonel. During his military services, he was awarded 23 ribbons and 12 medals. He was also Knighted by The Military Order of the Golden Chain by The Niadh Nask of Dublin, Ireland, and by The Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela as Knight of St. Michael of the wing. Dr. Ramage began his formal education while serving in the Air Force, at the University of Maryland. He received an AA degree from Itawamba Community College, a BSE from Delta State University, a MSW from the University of Tennessee, a Ph. D. from Florida State Christian University, and an Ed. D. degree in Psychology from Walden University. He interned in the Departments of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his professional career he attained various professional certifications, including Diplomat status in Clinical Social Work, Fellow Diplomat status in medical psychotherapy. He was board certified in Clinical Social Work and certified as a Therapeutic Activity Consultant. He was licensed to practice in both Mississippi and Alabama. He was nominated twice to the Board of the Menninger Clinic, a renowned teaching facility in Topeka, Kansas. He directed mental health programs in Greenwood, Miss., Montgomery (Family Guidance Center) and Hamilton, Ala. (Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center), where he wrote the staffing grant, had the building constructed, and fully hired staff. He also maintained a private practice, Associated Behavioral Healthcare Consultants, which he maintained throughout his career addressing the psychosocial and psychological needs of nursing home residents. He retired after 25 years, from the Alabama Department of Mental Health in 1996, but maintained a private consultation practice until his death. He was an active writer, and was published in numerous professional journals and authored three books on therapeutic programs in caring for the elderly and caregiving, the mentally ill, and inappropriate behavior. Dr. Ramage also taught courses at Huntington College and North West Alabama College at Phil Campbell. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a 40 year member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Northport, Ala. He was a mason. He was also on the committee that founded the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He was a founding member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Tuskaloosa Chapter, a member of the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He was active in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and in various business endeavors. Dr. Ramage was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who needed help. His wife was the love of his life, with whom he shared a zest for life, compassion, and thoughtful examination of life. His family filled his life with the greatest joy and satisfaction and was greatly beloved. You will never find a better man and his family loved him so dearly. Pallbearers will be family members. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. William Hill, Dr. Leonard Jones, neighbors of Northwood Lake, associates and friends involved in church and other activities, and co-workers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude's Hospital, or their favorite charity. Funeral Home