Juan Ramon Quiñones Aponte

Juan Ramon Quiñones Aponte, 96, of Columbus, GA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Monday, January 13, 2025 at Legacy Reserve at Old Town.

A Celebration of Life will take place later this year, according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus GA, 31907. As he requested, his remains will be scattered in his beloved homeland near his family’s burial sites.

Ramon was born April 30, 1928 in San Juan, Puerto Rico as the oldest child of the late Josefa Aponte and Ramon Quiñones. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and was assigned the job of Multimedia Illustrator where he was fortunate enough to have been stationed on his home island. Once he completed his military contract, he used his well-earned G.I. Bill benefit to attend the Columbus Art School (later the Columbus College of Art and Design) in Ohio. Ramon moved to Ohio with limited English vocabulary and was welcomed with open arms by the President of the School, who took him under his wing. Ramon spent his career at the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC), now the Defense Supply Center Columbus, as a graphic artist. During his career, he received many awards and commendations for his work in service to our country. As a true Puerto Rican, family was the most important part of Ramon’s life. His daughters have lived by the motto: family is the most important thing. Ramon always told his loved ones “Do whatever makes you happy, I just want you to be happy.” ¡Wepa!

Other than his parents, Ramon is preceded in death by his older siblings, Carmen, Anibal, Nereida, and his younger siblings Efrain and Liana.

Left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory are his wife Ana Rosa of Puerto Rico; children, Maria (Quiñones)Laret (Jeff) of Bexley, Ohio, Vanessa Quiñones of Magdalena, New Mexico, and Adriana Quiñones of Columbus, GA; Grandchildren, Lydia Imperiali (Joey) of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Micah McKelvey- Quiñones of Brooklyn, New York, Elize McKelvey- Quiñones of Bluffton, South Carolina, Nick McKelvey of Lancaster, Ohio, Camille Laret and Nathan Laret of Bexley, Ohio; great-grandchildren Jackson and Ryland Imperiali ; mother of his children, Donna Dietsch, many special nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. He is also survived by his dearest friend, who was like a son to him, Felix Huertas.

Remember him whenever you see a beautiful orange sunset or a maple tree in full autumn glory.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the hospice of your choice.