Beloved Texas dad, 45, killed after gun accidentally went off during hunting trip: ‘Pillar of our home’

A beloved Texas father and grandfather tragically died after his gun accidentally went off during a late-night hunting outing, according to police.

Jose Ramirez, 45, was shot and killed shortly after midnight while removing a firearm from a car in Marion County, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said, KLTV reported.

Game wardens performed life-saving efforts on the married Grapevine man, but he succumbed to his injuries.

Jose Ramirez, 45, was shot and killed Saturday night when his gun accidentally went off. GoFundMe

“While #TexasGameWardens are trained to investigate hunting-related incidents and work diligently to determine what happened, we always wish a tragedy like this could have been avoided,” the law enforcement agency posted on X Sunday.

“We encourage every hunter to take safety seriously. Always handle all firearms as if they are loaded, keep muzzles pointed in a safe direction and take time to unload your firearm before placing or removing it from a vehicle.”

Authorities said the fatal hunting accident happened when Ramirez was removing a firearm from a car. Facebook

Ramirez was a devoted father of three and grandfather to a nearly 1-year-old girl, according to a GoFundMe launched by his grieving son, Jose.

The heartbroken son said his father taught him “the most important lessons in life,” to never give up and always pursue what he loves with a “happy heart.”

“My dad meant the world to me,” Jose wrote.

“He was the pillar of our home, the provider for our family, and the one who always made sure we were taken care of. At the center of his joy was his granddaughter — my niece — who is about to turn one. She was his greatest blessing and the light of his life.”

The fatal hunting accident is still under investigation.