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1924 - 2009
 JOHN PRENTICE RATCLIFF, 85, of Proctorville, Ohio, died on September 30 after a long illness and courageous battle. He is preceded in death by his parents John Ashley and Gypsey Louise (Stepp) Ratcliff of Stepp, West Virginia, and is survived by two brothers and sister-in-laws, Millard Ratcliff and Ann Ratcliff, both of Proctorville, Ohio; Jim and Leona Ratcliff of Crum, West Virginia; and foster sister Phyllis Watts and husband, Fred Watts, of Delaware, Ohio.
John served in the U.S. Armed Forces and retired at the rank of Captain in 1962 from the United States Air Force after 17 years of notable service. During his military career, he served several state-side posts, in the Asia-Pacific Theatre, and also in London, England where drew two distinguished assignments: commanding the Queens Honor Guard for the dedication of the American War Memorial Chapel of St. Pauls Cathedral in London, and also as officer in charge of armed forces couriers assigned to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He earned the Army Good Conduct Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; Victory Medal, WW II; Army of Occupation (Japan); American Defense Service Medal; AF Reserve Medal; West Virginia National Guard Service Medal; and the Yugoslavia Liberation Medal, WWII.
John also served in the secondary public school systems where he taught mathematics and science, mostly at Symmes Valley, Chesapeake and South Point schools; the latter two districts he also served as a school administrator. Following his educational career, John joined the West Virginia wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) where he served for 23 years in several key roles, including Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff and Commander of the West Virginia Wing, and also as Colonel and Commander of the Middle East Region. He is a three-time graduate of Marshall University where he earned his bachelor of science and two post-graduate degrees.
John was a life-time member of the National Education Association; National Retired Teachers Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association; Marshall Alumni Association; Alpha Sigma Phi Alumni; Phi Delta Kappa; Alpha Delta Kappa; Retired Officers Association; Reserve Officers Association; and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John lived an exemplary life of service to country, community and family. He will be best remembered as: honored soldier and Patriot who loved and served his country; civic-minded activist who made numerous contributions for the betterment of his country and local community; academic and educator who was passionate about learning and teaching; loving husband and best friend to his beloved wife of 60 years; devoted father to his five children. His passing is a tremendous loss to those who deeply loved and respected John, but his memory will live on as a unique individual with a high degree of intelligence, curiosity, perseverance, honesty, and keen sense of humor.
John is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara Peggy Darnall Ratcliff, and five children and their spouses: Anna (Ratcliff) and Kyle Jarnagin of Eagle, Colorado; Janet (Ratcliff) and Lee Landers of McKinney, Texas; John (Rick) and Nancy Ratcliff of Allen, Texas; David and Jana Ratcliff of DeSoto, Texas; and Marjorie (Ratcliff) and Michael Parenteau of Irving, Texas. He was affectionately called Poppie by his surviving nine grandchildren: Joanie Stallo and Charles Ratcliff of Dallas, Texas; Chad and Eric Ratcliff of Proctorville, Ohio; Niki Ratcliff of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Michelle Davis and Meaghan Semple of Portland, Oregon; John Jarnagin of Eagle, Colorado; and Casey Landers of McKinney, Texas. He is also survived by two great grandsons: Calvin Ratcliff of Bruchkobel, Germany and Hunter Ratcliff of Cattlettsburg, Kentucky. He is preceded in death by step-grandson Tony Landers and survived by six step-grandchildren: Kandias Choate of Crockett, Texas; Luke Landers of Los Angeles, California; Paul and Shannon Lally of Allen, Texas; and Jake Groggans and Adrienne Upchurch of DeSoto, Texas.
The family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the tender loving care given to our husband and father by BJ White and Tami Fulton, and also the staff of Heritage Center and Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House.
Friends and family are invited to the viewing to be held on Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 6 to 8 P.M. at Hall Funeral Home, Proctorville, Ohio. A full United States Air Force military honors ceremony will be held December 4, 2009 at 3 p.m. in Washington, D.C., where John will be laid to rest with his fellow Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington, West Virginia. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall
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There are currently 30 condolences.
Michelle and Steve Davis
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
4:55 PM
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Love you Memaw and Family. My prayers are with you all.
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Michelle
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
4:54 PM
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I have many fond memories of Poppie. One memory that really sticks out is when Poppie would sit me on his lap and inspect my little hands and feet. Everytime I visited he loved to see how much I had grown. I cherish those sweet moments with my grandpa.
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Ana Mello & Family
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
2:35 PM
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Dear Marjie,
I was sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My heart and prayers go out to you and your brothers and sisters, as well as to your mother. She is prayed for as she deals with her heart condition. Much love, Ana & Family
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Niki
pafigure@yahoo.com
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
1:15 PM
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Meemaw,
Hang in there. Poppi's presence in our lives will be forever cherished and protected in our hearts. I have you in mine right now. Miss my Poppi.
Love,
Niki
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Suzanne James
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
12:37 PM
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Marj & Michael: My deepest sympathy for your loss. My prayers are lifted for your family for comfort and peace in this time. Love, Suzanne
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CLint and Carol Regehr
carol@healingfortheheart.com
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
12:36 PM
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Dear Ratcliff family,
We have prayed with you all through this journey and we continue to pray for God's love to be poured out to all of you during this time of loss. You all have so much to be proud of...what a great legacy that he leaves! BLessings to you all, with love, Clint and Carol Regehr
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Colonel David Ellsworth, CAP
Wednesday October 7, 2009 at
12:29 PM
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Barbara, I was sorry to hear about John's passing. John and I shared many years together in the Middle East Region. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
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Sandi Dinehart
Tuesday October 6, 2009 at
8:14 PM
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Dear sweet Peggy and Beloved Ratcliff family, my heart aches for you at this time.I loved John and mourne with you at his passing. He always (as you all have) made me feel part of your wonderful family and I have always been so grateful for our connection. I am hoping that your sweet memories of his life will help you get through this difficult time. Much love, Sandi
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Alicia Dennison
aliciadennison@comcast.net
Tuesday October 6, 2009 at
2:55 PM
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My dear friends, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I'm sorry for your loss. I have great memories of us in the growing up years on Orchard Dr. We drove our parents crazy. Many thoughts.
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Bonnie Shaw
Tuesday October 6, 2009 at
1:25 PM
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My Dearest Friend Janet, My thoughts and prayers are with you! My heart is sad for your loss. Your loving care is a testament of a daughters love for her parents. As we have discussed many times, fond memories are always as close as our heart and can be touched on at any moment.
With Love, your friend Bonnie
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Lance & LuAnn Weaver
Tuesday October 6, 2009 at
12:50 PM
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Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, & great grandfather. Anna is our dear friend and a great woman, which says a lot for her parents because of the kind of person that she has become. We love you, Anna, and your family, and send our condolences to all of you!
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Maj Gen Dwight Wheless, CAP
dwight@whelesslawfirm.com
Tuesday October 6, 2009 at
8:00 AM
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Barbara, such good memories flood my mind of you and John back in those days when it seems like we were attending every conference announced anywhere in the nation. You were both such good buddies and I will always appreciate my time with you both. I can hear John now whisperin' "Dwite" (which is how he pronounced it in that southern way)followed by this or that, and come to remember I don't think John could whisper since anyone within 12 feet could have heard what he was saying. He was a grand friend and will long be remembered by all of us old-timers...as will you.
Special love to you and your family.
Dwight
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Melanie Stokes
Monday October 5, 2009 at
3:28 PM
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Dear Ratcliff Family,
I only know 'Poppy' thru his daughter, Janet. You are all so blessed to have had such a magnificent man to lead your family. My heart goes out to your loss and my spirit goes out to all the loving memories you will carry forever. You are blessed.
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Thomas P. Burns, SMSgt, USAF, Ret
Monday October 5, 2009 at
9:08 AM
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Barbara and family. I was very sorry to hear about John's passing. He was truely a good person and will be missed by many.
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Bryan Landers
Monday October 5, 2009 at
8:59 AM
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Dear Janet and family, I'm very soory to hear of the passing of your Dad. My family and I are extremely grateful for his service to this great country. Sincerely- Bryan and Zach
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kristen jenkins
kristenann34@yahoo.com
Monday October 5, 2009 at
8:36 AM
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My deepest condolences. John will always be in my heart! You all stay in touch, if you need anything please let me know.
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Mary Subach
mysbch@yahoo.com
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
9:50 PM
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I can feel and understand your loss. I do not need to tell you that the sky is blue above the clouds, because I know you believe!!!! Love Mary
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Mike and Bertie Nimmo
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
6:56 PM
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I am so very sorry for your loss. I learned a lot from the Colonel in leadership,organization and decision-making that has served me well in later years. Those years spent with the two of you were wonderful years and I will cherish those memories.
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Paul & Cindy Cannavino
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
4:58 PM
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Marjie,
We are so sorry to hear about your Dad. You & your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love ya, Cindy & Paul
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Katherine Mott Fuller
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
4:05 PM
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David & I were sorry to hear of Mr. Ratcliff's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
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Emily & Chuck Ratcliff
emilyratcliff08@gmail.com
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
3:36 PM
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We will always remember him. He was a wonderful man with strong family ties. He will be treasured in our hearts forever.
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Marian Crowe
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
3:29 PM
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My deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband and father. I will never forget his smile and his sincere expression of gratitude each time I visited him. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you face the days ahead.
Marian
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Jay & Meaghan Semple
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
2:11 PM
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Memaw and Family...Our hearts and our prayers go out to you during this time of great saddness and loss. We love you. Jay & Meaghan
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ken a. lawson
redhawkdad@zoominternet.net
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
12:54 PM
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my thoughts are with your family and i send you my condolences.
many memories of all of you.
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Guy Adkins
Sunday October 4, 2009 at
7:31 AM
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Janet,
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Best wishes,
Guy Adkins
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David S Friedenberg, Lt Col, Civil Air Patrol
Saturday October 3, 2009 at
4:58 PM
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Both my wife and I are very sorry to learn of the death of a very good man that did so much for the people he loved. John was a good friend to many CAP members. He lead a good and productive life.
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Nancy Ratcliff
johnandnancyr@prodigy.net
Saturday October 3, 2009 at
10:45 AM
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From Nancy, Paul & Shannon
To: Meemaw and family
Poppi was always so loving and caring to us. We will miss him!! Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. We love you Meemaw!!
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Jane/Activities At Heritage Center
Friday October 2, 2009 at
8:07 PM
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John was a friend from the frist time I set and talk to him. He had a beautiful scene of humor. I will alway remember him for his smile and what he told me about the name John. And to the family. I know you all are filling a great lost, but always remember the good times. And I know you had a lot of them. God Be With You all.
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Rod & Wanda Lee Steorts
Friday October 2, 2009 at
5:09 PM
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We are extremely sad to hear of your loss. May the peace that passeth all understanding abide with you.
We will always remember the "Colonel"
Rod & Wanda Lee Steorts
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Kandias Choate
Friday October 2, 2009 at
11:32 AM
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Dear Meemaw and Family,
My thoughts are with each and everyone of you at this time, and I wish I could have been there. Over the past few years I have begun to really understand how important family is and the one thing that sticks in my mind is that my son Ashton is 4 and even though he has only seen Meemaw and Poppi once when he looks at pictures he points out that that is Meemaw and Poppi. He now knows that Poppi is in Heaven with "Maggie" - Dad's dog. And in a better place. I love you all and will forever keep the memories I have of Poppi in my heart. Kandias Choate
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