Michael Alan Ramey

Michael Alan Ramey August 2, 1938, Washington DC – June 12, 2016, Seattle, WA died peacefully as he wished after Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), supported by three loving friends and the wonderful people at A Sacred Passing.

Mike arrived in Seattle in 1964, after 4 years in the United States Air Force.

Mike lived by the philosophy of “Tikkun Olam”, a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world," through social justice and ethical behavior. Mike’s advocacy for social justice extended in many directions. He was often able to find merit in viewpoints that contrasted with his own. In 1967, Mike joined the Dorian Society, a Gay rights organization; he helped print the first edition of the Dorian Columns newsletter. He worked for Gay Liberation, lived through the AIDS crisis and lost his partner Tom Smith to the disease. In recent years Mike could be found at every No Kings event. For months he protested at Tesla Takedown Tuesdays; Mike stood in front of Tesla on Westlake Avenue and while passing cars honked, he held onto his three-wheeled walker with his No Kings placard attached. Under this pressure Tesla abandoned the location. He marched in frigid rain at the third No Kings march. He stopped for hot soup on the way home and called a friend from the restaurant. “I’m goddamned cold but the march was wonderful.”

Since 2008 Mike enjoyed senior living at Council House. He watched the sun come up from his twelfth-floor apartment window and marveled at his good fortune to live where he did. He offered his computer skills to neighbors and kept packages moving in the mail room. He believed that the tiny address labels were an injustice to aging eyes and did what he could to correct it by writing the apartment numbers in large script. He was grateful for the staff at Council House and enjoyed the friendship of many of his neighbors. Over the years Audrey was particularly kind and helpful for Mike; the van rides to Safeway helped him secure his regular purchase of two gallons of buttermilk. 

At just short of 88 years, having survived prostate cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and skin cancer, his body was giving out. He could no longer stand on his own. He could no longer march but as he told a friend, “I can still stir the pot.” To this end, he chose to end his time on Earth on his terms. Legally, ethically and with help from his caring doctor and the amazing women at A Sacred Passing, Mike began VSED on June 8. In his final days he was held in comfort and compassion; with a view of Lake Washington, he sat peacefully in the sun, birds and squirrels continued their business of life all around him while Mike let go. Mike passed peacefully on June 12.

Mike asked the his final words be remembered as: Thank you all. It's been a great life!

-mr