Obituary of Ramon Martinez Hill

Ramón Hill, age 73 of Clio, died Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Heartland Healthcare Center-Fostrian in Flushing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Onofre and Josefina (Martinez) Hill, and his brother Rubin Hill. Ramón began working for General Motors at Buick, Plant 12 in 1964, but his lifelong obsession was to become an artist. "I close my eyes and my mind becomes a universe," he once said. "Just as a musician can hear music, I can see artistic creations. I've backlogged many creations in my mind, and when time permits, I won't lack for inspiration to work on them." His interest in art began at an early age. "Before I had the luxury of pencils and crayons," he said, "I used a stick and the sandy clay of Texas, and suddenly I had three new worlds with fall, winter, and spring." His artistic talents found him doing ink tattoos for other kids, but it continued to grow-- not only across multiple mediums such as painting and sculpture, ceramics and metal work-- but it grew throughout the community as he channeled his art to touch the lives of others and unite different cultures. Both a life-long learner and teacher of art, Ramón earned his associates degree in applied science and fine arts from Mott Community College and his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan-Flint before teaching art to others young and old. Ramón taught classes at Northwestern Edison, Southwestern High School, and held an after school art program in Beecher. He conducted numerous workshops through various art organizations, and his art has been exhibited all over Michigan in places such as the Lansing State Capital Building, Dewaters Art Center, Lansing Historical Museum, U of M-Ann Arbor, U of M-Flint, Delta College, Leftbank Gallery, Buckham Fine Arts Project, International Institute, Flint Public Library, Hurley Medical Center, the Children's Museum, and El Especial Mexican restaurant, just to name a few. Ramón channeled his art to touch the lives of others and to unite cultures. The beautiful cross which hangs on the front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church was designed and sculpted by Ramón as his gift. During fiesta time at the church, he taught painting to the children. Additionally, Ramón worked with children at numerous Flint public schools on mural, sculpture, and primitive mask projects. His passion for social justice and civil rights led him to design two commemorative coins--one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the other of Cesar Chavez, the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, to honor them. Ramón presented the coins to Senator Ted Kennedy, Bishop Tutu, the Nelson Mandela family, Cesar Chavez, Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King, III, President Clinton, and many others. Ramón was a member of the GI Forum, the Greater Flint Arts Council, the Genesee County Hispanic/Latino Collaborative, and the National Multicultural Day and Institute planning committee. He is survived by his son, Ramón Hill, Jr., daughter Tara (Hill) Perry and her husband Rob, sister Esdula Vargas, brother Onofre Hill, Jr. and significant other Priscilla, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Flint. Rev. Gary McInnis to officiate with burial to follow in Flint Memorial Park. Family and friends will gather at church to pray the Rosary on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at 7:00 pm. The family will receive friends at church on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and Ramón will lie in state at church on Monday from 10:00 am until time of Mass at 11:00 am. Ramón closed his eyes one last time, but his creative expressions and his kind deeds will forever leave an impact on the community he so lovingly served.