James Avery Ratliff
May 5, 1929 - Jan 4, 2012
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Funeral services and a celebration of a great life will be held for longtime Norman resident, James Avery Ratliff, age 82, at 10:00 am on Monday, January 9, 2011 at Bethel Baptist Church, 1717 W. Lindsey, Norman, OK with former Pastor James Ehrlich officiating.
   
James was born on May 5, 1929 on a farm west of Washington to James Loyd Ratliff and Anna Mae Maddon Ratliff.  He went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, after a year of failing health. 
   
James was raised in Washington, OK, graduating high school from there in 1947.  He met the love of his life, Juanita Ellen Jones from Wayne, OK and was married on July 9, 1948. They were blessed with two children, Gary and Connie.  James and Juanita were married 63 years, when James passed away.  They enjoyed a simple life of just being together. Their interests included traveling in their Airstream trailer and vacations to the Colorado mountains. Some special memories are trips to Creede, CO to enjoy family fishing vacations.
    
He worked in sales for Gordon's Specialty for forty faithful years.  After retirement, he maintained commercial rental properties in Purcell, OK that he co-owned with his brother-in-law, Rex Floyd.   Rex said he was “the best, most dedicated, partner I ever had.” 
   
Our “Papaw” was a loyal Sooner fan and music lover. Being a car mechanic for his family was a hobby.  He was a humble man, but very wise, and offered advice when friends and family needed it.   James and Juanita have been faithful members of Bethel Baptist Church.   James loved the Lord and his family more than anything else in this world.
    
The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Merrill and staff at Norman Clinic and the nurses at Norman Regional Hospital for all of their loving care and support.
   
James is preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Anna Mae Ratliff. 

He is survived by his wife Juanita Ratliff of Norman; his brother Don Ratliff of Mt. Pleasant, SC; his son, Gary Ratliff, MD, wife Marianne, and daughter Rebecca of Norman; his daughter Connie White, husband James of Norman, and his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; Matthew Daily, wife Jace, and sons Elijah and Salem of Ft. Worth, TX; Alicia Butters, husband Michael, and children Linley, Abby, Joshua, Caleb, and Caroline of Tulsa, OK; Laura Suttles, husband Kirk, and daughters Hope, Joy, and Glory of Edmond, OK.

A viewing will be held at Havenbrook Funeral Home on January 8 from 3:00 PM to 4 PM with the family present.