1927
John
2013
John Ratzlaff
July 17, 1927 — April 18, 2013
Funeral service for John Roe Ratzlaff will be Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Center Fellowship in Meno with Rev. Terrill Parvin and Pastor David Player officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery south of Ringwood. Viewing will be Monday 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
John Roe Ratzlaff, 85, of the Ringwood-Meno communities left us Thursday, April 18, 2013 after a short illness. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, farmer and cattleman for sixty-five years. He was born July 17, 1927 on a farm southeast of Ringwood, the son of Cephas and Pauline Wright Ratzlaff. John graduated Ringwood High School in 1946. Then on September 4, 1946, he joined the U. S. Army. During his military service he attained the rank of CPL and received the Army of Occupation Medal Japan and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged December 19, 1947 and returned to work with his father, Cephas, on the farm.
In 1948 John saw Gracie Bingham in Ames. They fell in love and were companions for sixty-five years. They were married in a small rural church, Eden Baptist Church, located between Ames and Lacey. After their marriage, they established their first home on the family farm southeast of Ringwood where they began a dairy. In 1949 their first son, Dennis, was born. In 1955 Gracie entered the Gold Spot Dairy Contest. John and Gracie won grand prize for two by train to Los Angeles, California. Enjoying the West Coast, they soon sold the farm and moved the family to Huntington Park, California where John worked for Fiberboard Paper Mill in Vernon, California for seven years. A second son, Alan was born in Lynwood, California in 1962. Six months later John was given the opportunity to return back to Ringwood to take over his dad’s farming operation.
John treasured volunteering and serving the community. Some community organizations with which he served were Ringwood Lions Club, Ames American Legion, Ringwood School Board for twelve years. He was a member of Ringwood United Methodist Church where he participated in the church choir, was a lay leader, was chairman of the administrative board, was on the board of trustees and the finance committee.
John traveled throughout the United States with family. In 1981 his grandson, Heath, was born. During 2007 John shared his farming and cattle knowledge with his grandson. The two have farmed together since that time.
Those who have preceded John in death are his parents, Cephas and Pauline Ratzlaff.
Those who survive include his wife, Gracie of Meno; his sons, Dennis of Altus and Alan of Tulsa; his grandson, Heath at the location of the first farm near Ringwood and his great grandsons, Ashyr and Asah; his sister, Betty Mason; special relationships, Ron Painter and Jaclyn Gailbraith; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to express “thanks” to The Commons staff and Hospice Circle of Love.
Memorials may be made to Ringwood United Methodist Church, Ringwood Lions Club, Hospice Circle of Love or Oklahoma Medical Research, Cancer Division through the funeral home.
John Roe Ratzlaff, 85, of the Ringwood-Meno communities left us Thursday, April 18, 2013 after a short illness. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, farmer and cattleman for sixty-five years. He was born July 17, 1927 on a farm southeast of Ringwood, the son of Cephas and Pauline Wright Ratzlaff. John graduated Ringwood High School in 1946. Then on September 4, 1946, he joined the U. S. Army. During his military service he attained the rank of CPL and received the Army of Occupation Medal Japan and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged December 19, 1947 and returned to work with his father, Cephas, on the farm.
In 1948 John saw Gracie Bingham in Ames. They fell in love and were companions for sixty-five years. They were married in a small rural church, Eden Baptist Church, located between Ames and Lacey. After their marriage, they established their first home on the family farm southeast of Ringwood where they began a dairy. In 1949 their first son, Dennis, was born. In 1955 Gracie entered the Gold Spot Dairy Contest. John and Gracie won grand prize for two by train to Los Angeles, California. Enjoying the West Coast, they soon sold the farm and moved the family to Huntington Park, California where John worked for Fiberboard Paper Mill in Vernon, California for seven years. A second son, Alan was born in Lynwood, California in 1962. Six months later John was given the opportunity to return back to Ringwood to take over his dad’s farming operation.
John treasured volunteering and serving the community. Some community organizations with which he served were Ringwood Lions Club, Ames American Legion, Ringwood School Board for twelve years. He was a member of Ringwood United Methodist Church where he participated in the church choir, was a lay leader, was chairman of the administrative board, was on the board of trustees and the finance committee.
John traveled throughout the United States with family. In 1981 his grandson, Heath, was born. During 2007 John shared his farming and cattle knowledge with his grandson. The two have farmed together since that time.
Those who have preceded John in death are his parents, Cephas and Pauline Ratzlaff.
Those who survive include his wife, Gracie of Meno; his sons, Dennis of Altus and Alan of Tulsa; his grandson, Heath at the location of the first farm near Ringwood and his great grandsons, Ashyr and Asah; his sister, Betty Mason; special relationships, Ron Painter and Jaclyn Gailbraith; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to express “thanks” to The Commons staff and Hospice Circle of Love.
Memorials may be made to Ringwood United Methodist Church, Ringwood Lions Club, Hospice Circle of Love or Oklahoma Medical Research, Cancer Division through the funeral home.
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