Rickey Wayne Ratliff Obituary (1948 - 2021)

Our Father, Rickey Wayne Ratliff was 72 years old when he passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was born, raised and lived in Dayton, Ohio when he left us and went to Heaven on July 5th, 2021. He passed away at Hospice of Dayton peacefully with his family by his side. Born on 11/23/1948 to Eldon & Nancy (Ingram) Ratliff, he had a beautiful sister, Vickey Gardiner, and a brother, Glenn Ratliff, who was the youngest of the 3. Vicky had 3 children- Kim, Jason and Beth--Dad loved them like his own. Growing up in the Northridge area of Dayton, Dad played many sports but softball was his love. He started playing at a very young age. Growing up we were able to travel with his teams almost every weekend. We always had fun and met so many great people; there is nothing better than a Softball team who is like family. We were able to see many places we may not have gotten to see if he had not played Softball. We always loved cheering the team on, helping to keep score, and even being bat girls. As he got older he transitioned from playing softball to coaching for the over 50 semi-pro teams which he truly enjoyed. He also loved to win! Our dad has won hundreds of trophies, metals and other awards throughout the years...but the one that meant the most to him was being inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame at Kettering Field in 2012. He loved to show his Hall of Fame ring off. He had won several other tournament rings, but this one meant the most to him. Let's face it, he probably owned Kettering Field by that time, as much money as he had spent there over the years. He was very dedicated to Softball and winning. Over the years dad had many sales jobs, from selling life insurance, to owning his own company, Freebird Enterprise. We can't forget the flowers and fireworks... and was known as the Rose man! Dad was very adventurous and loved to take long drives in and out of Ohio. He loved to travel and enjoy the scenery around him. His friend/family Moe and Kari (middle daughter) would go with him on these adventures. They have lots of stories and memories from their adventures. Dad loved playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He would go in the house and say "Grandpa is here!", even if everyone was sleeping. That is how our dad was, he loved to have fun and joke around. He loved when we all could get together in one place. He also had many "family-to him" friends who had become family who were important to him, including his Softball family. Our dad was an avid reader. His favorite types of books were westerns. Jill (oldest daughter) sent so many to him during the time he was going through radiation that he told Kari (middle daughter) that he thought she had signed him up for a book club. She said "nope they were all handpicked", and he read every one of them. Dad was a Christian and read his Bible often. Kari would also read it aloud for the both of them. He enjoyed those moments between the two of them. Dad loved watching all sports. His favorite teams were the Steelers, the Cincinnati Reds and the Kentucky Wildcats. He also loved to watch wrestling with his kids and grandkids each week. Anyone who knew dad, knew exactly where he stood when it came to politics. He voiced his opinion anytime he could. On Sundays' he and Jill would chat and she heard all about what he had watched that morning. She enjoyed that time. Often she had to direct him to the right place to get the full picture as she would not have had it any other way. Survived by his daughters Jill McPheron (Allen, Dash), Kari Ratliff, and Dawn Moorman (Jeremy), Son Ricky Ratliff (Jessica), and a beautiful step daughter Monique Underwood (Davonne). Grandchildren: DJ, Aleni (Rolf), Brooklyn, Ricky, Reece, Trentin, Anakin, Mimi and Blaine. Great-Grandchildren: Dax, Jovie and Taylor. Niece's Kim, Sarah Beth and Nephew Jason (Jenn). Close friends/Family: Moe, Ryder and Teak. We also have: Susan, Tammy, Brenda, Terry, Allison, Dale and Dustin who were just a few of his borrowed children. Dad was loved by so many, there are too many to name here. Stepmom-Charlotte Ratliff, and Stepdad- Forester Sandlin. Predeceased by: Spouses (at separate times of course. LOL) Maryalice Edmundson and Shari Humphrey. Sister-Vickey Gardiner and Brother-Glenn Ratliff. Dad-Eldon Ratliff and Mom-Nancy Sandlin (Ingram). Also Aunt Maisie and Grannie are in Heaven too. One thing we know is that God did not take our Dad, God received our Dad. He is dancing in the sky with all the people that were waiting on him, and we will all be together again someday. Until then he would want us to celebrate his life, not cry! In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to the American Cancer Society (Donation link below), in honor and in memory of Rickey.