L. C. Ratliff

L.C. “Pete” Ratliff, 98 of Fort Sumner died Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Retirement Ranch in Clovis, NM. Pete was born March 1, 1911 in Erath County, Texas the third of ten children born to Joe Hayden and Nancy Elizabeth Ratliff. Pete married his soul mate Jessie May on June 2, 1935. Following his marriage Pete moved his entire family to Fort Sumner with the exception of two married sisters. Pete was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jessie May in 1996; an infant son Philip C. Ratliff in 1937; his mother and father; a daughter in law Alma Lois (Amy) Ratliff; four brothers Mark, Wallace, Joe and Bill; five sisters Lete, Arture, Zelpha, Azaline and Nadine. Survivors include three sons Stephen Ratliff and wife Patty of Ouray, CO; Eddie and wife DeLynn of Edgewood, NM; Frank and wife Jolene of Pagosa Springs, CO; and a daughter Nancy Crownover and husband Russell of Clovis, NM. Seven Grandchildren Debbie Ratliff, Shelly Benoist (Tim), Gary Ratliff (Becky), Joe Brent Ratliff (Megan), Darin Ratliff (Rhonda), Pam Olivarez (John) and Kara Cross (Ken). Nine Great-grandchildren, Jack and Milo Ratliff, Justin and Bailey Ratliff, Morgan and Ashlyn Ratliff, Seth Tinkle, Jordan and Trenton Cross, Sister in-law Barbara Ratliff and numerous nieces and nephews. Pete served as a member of the Fort Sumner School Board for 12 years, a lifetime member of PTA and a charter member of the Rotary Club since 1934. He served on the State Farm Bureau Board and was instrumental in bringing Farm Bureau to De Baca County. He also served on the ASCS County Committee and the SCS District Board. Pete also served four terms as De Baca County Commissioner. He and his sons poured the first concrete ditches built in the county. Some of his proudest accomplishments and awards were helping to organize and support the FFA in the Fort Sumner Schools and receiving the FFA Honorary Farmer Degree. He was also inducted into the DeBaca County Hall of Fame in 1997. Pete helped organize the first booster club to support the Fort Sumner Foxes and Vixens and he remained an avid Fox and Vixen fan his entire life. The family will receive friends from 1pm to 2pm Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the church. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, August 29, 2009 from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Dan Craig officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren Debbie Ratliff, Shelly Benoist, Gary Ratliff, Brent Ratliff, Darin Ratliff, Pam Olivarez and Kara Cross. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.