Wayne H. Ratcliff

Wayne H. Ratcliff was born November 5, 1932 at home in Greenwood County, Kansas. He was the son of an Orphan Train rider, Douglas Ratcliff and Mary Stewart Ratcliff. He was the middle child in a family of seven children. Wayne graduated from the Hamilton, Kansas schools and from Emporia State University with a Bachelor in Business Administration. At a very early age he developed an interest in the petroleum industry and was employed by Phillips Petroleum Company at the age of 18 first in the production department and last 29 years in marketing. He was a member of the Phillips Performance club and won several marketing awards. He was a member of the Blue Lodge of Hamilton, Kansas, 32nd degree consistory and a member of the Bedouin Shrine Temple and Little Dixie Shrine Club. Upon retirement he wanted to facilitate changes for the good of our country. AARP was one of the organizations through which he was active serving as the Advocacy Chairman on the Oklahoma State Executive Council. He worked tirelessly for seniors, those less fortunate and for the good of all. He found the time to go into chemical sales, Classic Colors, with his friend, Walter Smith where he was the bookkeeper. He instructed Walter to have the coffee pot on and when he slumped down in his chair, asleep to come by and straighten him back up. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Elks, NRA, conservation organizations as Ducks Unlimited and Turkeys Unlimited and the president of the Durant High School booster Club for the 1983 Championship football team. On June 1, 1958 Wayne married Dorothy Nielsen. To this union they were blessed with a daughter, Kristina Rae, and a son, Anthony Wayne. They were his joy. Wayne had many hobbies including fishing, hunting, golfing, reading and studying history and economics and, yes even yard work. Wayne is survived by his wife, Dorothy, daughter, Kris, and son, Anthony and his wife Tracy. He had three grandchildren who loved and adored him: Hunter Scott Goforth and Lauren Nicole and Austin Wayne Ratcliff. They were his pride and joy who he guided and advised to the very end. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Morris. He is also survived by two sisters: Betty Louis, Wichita, Kansas and Donna Brevoort (Frank), Greenville, Delaware, and three brothers: Jack (Maxine), Hamilton, Kansas, Wes (Sherri), Sioux City, Iowa, and Gary, Lebo, Kansas. Also surviving is his very special business partner and friend, Walter Smith and family and many nieces and nephews as well as his cronies in Calera where the world’s and city’s problems were discussed and solved and lastly by his Brittany Spaniel, Abbie. A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Durant on October 8th, 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Greg Tolles officiating and Robert Jones assisting. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Shriners Hospital, NRA or any Wildlife organization such as Duck’s Unlimited. A Celebration of Life will also be held at Hamilton, Kansas on Friday, October 24th for the many friends and relatives there. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, Durant and Texoma Cremation Service. PDF Printable Version

Wayne H. Ratcliff

November 5, 1932 - October 3, 2008