Ranger Exes Memorial - RHS Class of 1940

James Ratliff JAMES WILSON RATLIFF, 82, of Ranger, TX passed away March 23, 2005 in Eastland, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger, TX. James was born on June 16, 1922 in Ranger to A.J. & Myrtie (Wilson) Ratliff. He graduated from Ranger High School in 1940 and attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville from 1941-42 where he was known as "Stumpy" Ratliff and was active in the Silver Keys Club & T.T.P. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII where he served 3 & ½ years in the South Pacific. After the war he returned to Ranger to operate the family business, Ratliff Feed Store that was in operation from 1919 to 1984; and he later owned & operated Ratliff Real Estate. James married Jean Jones in Fort Worth on November 22, 1946. He enjoyed many hobbies including raising Registered Angus Cattle for many years. He was active in his community serving on many boards. He devoted time & effort as a Ranger City Commissioner, member Ranger Chamber of Commerce, Ranger Junior College Board of Regents, director First State Bank of Ranger, Eastland County Water Supply District, President of Texas Turkey Federation in 1962, Ranger Independent School District School Board Member when the Ranger Bulldogs won the State Football Championship, and a 50 year member of the Ranger Masonic Lodge #738. James is survived by his wife of 58 years Jean Ratliff of Ranger, son A.J. Ratliff (RHS-1966) of Ranger and daughter Annabelle Allen (RHS-1968) of Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents. James & Jean Ratliff WIFE: NELMA JEAN JONES RATLIFF, 86, passed away in Ranger, TX on March, 11, 2011, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Jean was born November 12, 1924 in Peacock, Stonewall County, Texas, to Thelbert Duffer Jones and Lena Bell (Herrell) Jones. She graduated from Indian Creek High School, South of Brownwood and attended Daniel Baker College in Brownwood. While teaching school in Ranger after World War II she met James W. Ratliff and married him in Fort Worth in 1946. They were married for 58 years before the death of James in 2005. She enjoyed playing bridge for many years with her friends. She was also active with her husband in their Registered Angus Cattle operation and his real estate business. She was a charter member of the 1947 Club, a federated club in Ranger. She was a devoted mother to both her children and dearly loved her pets. Jean was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir and a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by her son, A.J. Ratliff of Ranger and Annabelle Allen and her husband Joe Allen of Abilene.