COVID-19 took a Manatee High custodian’s life. The happy memories remain, family says

Even in the final moments of his life, Ramon Morales was there for others.

Morales, a custodian at Manatee High School for more than a decade, died of COVID-19 on Wednesday, his family members said. They believe the virus exacerbated his kidney issues, and they said the Florida Department of Health recently confirmed that COVID-19 was the cause of his death.

Ciera Morales, one of his four daughters, said she heard from nurses at Manatee Memorial Hospital after her father’s passing. They described him as funny and genuine, something the Morales family knew to be true.

“When he was in the ER he was still trying to do jokes,” Ciera Morales said.

Her father would have celebrated his 65th birthday on Aug. 1. The Applebee’s Restaurant in Ellenton, where he worked a second job, will hold a celebration of life from 7 to 10 a.m. that day. The event includes a sausage and pancake breakfast to raise money for his family.

“He never talked about what he did for anybody,” said Monica Morales, one of his daughters. “You would never know.”

His positive impact was clear this week, when members of the Manatee High community shared gift cards, food and plenty of memories with the Morales family. The restaurant in Ellenton also planned to hang a plaque in his honor, Ciera Morales said.

She remembered the time when Ramon Morales stopped an ice cream truck and bought treats for the neighborhood kids. And he always kept a few dollars in his pocket, waiting for a moment to share them with his grandchildren.

He worked hard to care for his family in Manatee County, along with his mother and siblings in Durango, Mexico. He offered the same dedication and kindness to all people, said Ciera Morales, describing her conversation with a Manatee High employee.

“She was telling us how kids didn’t have money to eat and he would give them money to get food, even if it was his last dollar.”

Family members said Ramon Morales worked his last day as a Manatee High custodian on July 8. About one week later, he visited the hospital for shortness of breath, leading to a positive test for COVID-19. His daughters said they were unsure where he contracted the virus.

Because of safety precautions during the pandemic, the daughters were not able to visit the hospital, but they called Ramon Morales on the phone every day. Separated by a window, they were finally able to visit their father after his death.

“COVID is something serious,” Ciera Morales said. “You’re walking down and every patient in the ICU is on a ventilator. It hits home. You never know when it could be your loved one.”

Ramon Morales is survived by his wife and six children. They will always remember a man who found joy in fishing, cooking barbecue and attending church. They will remember a man who took pride in his work, especially when it came to painting the football field at Manatee High.

And above all, they will remember a man who lived to serve his family and community, said Alane Murrell, his daughter in law.

“He was a caring person,” she said. “He put other people before himself.”

This story was originally published July 25, 2020 at 5:00 AM.