Ralph Eugene Ratliff (77 years old), passed away. Mr. Ratliff lived in Winfield, Kansas from 1967-1992.

Mr. Ratliff was born January 11, 1933 at Cherryvale, Kansas as the youngest of eight siblings to William and Mattie Belle (Poole / Heckert) Ratliff.

He is survived by:
His wife: Patricia Ratliff;
His older brother: Max Ratliff of Sacramento, California;
His children, Stephanie Kelman, Sharla Smith, and Timothy Ratliff and his wife, Susan.
He has five grandchildren: David Kelman and his wife, Shannon Hilton-Kelman, Hilary Kelman, Jennifer Smith, Benjamin Ratliff and Daniel Ratliff.
Mr. Ratliff has two great-grandchildren, Ashton Baker and Laila Kelman.

Mr. Ratliff was a golf caddy in high school and played golf off and on his entire life. He played for many years in Winfield.

In the 1950's, Mr. Ratliff owned "R&S Oil Enterprise." He worked for Boeing Sky Speed for several years out of Wichita, Kansas. He owned and operated "Ralph's Auto Salvage" for 20 years in Winfield. He was the first salvage yard in the surrounding area to work with the fire department to train firemen to use the jaws of life.

He was a member of the Elks Lodge. He served on the Kansas State Dealers Review Board. He attended the University of Oklahoma and Southwest Oklahoma University. He was a 10-year member of the Kansas National Guard / Army Reserve. Mr. Ratliff is a published author of short stories and the western novel, TAD. He was known for his sense of humor and ability to tell a story.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service. Private family inurnment will take place at Highland Cemetery following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or Heart Research.