Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Ramirez Jr. has died. He was 68.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, announced the mayor’s death in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon.
“It is with an especially heavy heart that I write to convey my deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences for the passing of Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez,” Cuellar said.
“Mayor Rodriguez served South Texas with pride and dignity during his many years of service as Mayor of Palmhurst. He was known as a passionate public servant and was a pillar of the community. His contributions will always be remembered,” he further stated.
Rodriguez was seeking reelection in the upcoming May municipal election. He was facing opponent Israel Silva, who vacated his Place 4 seat on the council to run for mayor.
“He was a good person, good human being,” Silva said when reached for comment Wednesday.
“He served his community proudly for many years. I did learn a lot from him over the last 12 years being on the city council,” he added.
Rodriguez had served on the Palmhurst City Council for more than two decades, and another of his colleagues there said his death put the city in “uncharted waters.”
“I’ve been on the board since 2005, 2006, and Ramiro has been our mayor for that long. He’s been an excellent mayor,” said Robert A. Salinas, who is seeking reelection to Place 4.
“He runs the city, how should I say it, efficient,” he said.
Salinas said he and Rodriguez have been neighbors for decades.
“We’re really gonna miss him. We’re all grieving for him. It was really unexpected,” Salinas said.
“We’ve been friends for 30 years, I tell you what, you could not ask for a better mayor.”
