James L. Ratliff

James Leon "Jim" Ratliff, 91, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away on March 12, 2025, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Jim was born December 31, 1933, in Saint Paul, Kansas, to Charles Cable Ratliff and Gladys Mae Richardson. He graduated in 1951 from Erie High School in Erie, Kansas. Jim attended college in Iola, Kansas, later transferring to Independence, Kansas, as a three-sport athlete, and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in 1953.

Jim served honorably in the United States Army from July 1953 to May 1955. On September 2, 1956, Jim married Dorothy Mueller in Independence, Kansas at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple moved to Topeka, KS, where Jim attended Washburn University earning his degree in Business and playing baseball for the Washburn Icabods. In 1958, their son, Michael, was born.

While in Topeka, Jim was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran (MS) faith by Pastor Paul Heckman. He was an active member until his death.

Following graduation, Jim worked at Firestone Tire in Independence, Kansas, before moving to Kansas City to work for the Bendix Corporation. Two daughters, Kelly and Kim, were born during this time. In 1965, they moved to Phoenix, AZ, where Jim was employed by Motorola. The family later moved to Oklahoma City, where Jim was employed by Aero Commander. In 1967, the family moved to Ogallala, where Jim worked for TRW and ASC until his retirement. In 1971, they welcomed their youngest daughter, Jacqueline.

Notably, Jim had the unique distinction of having his name sent to the moon in a commemorative capsule aboard one of the rockets used in NASA's Apollo 14 mission in recognition of the capacitor work he'd contributed.

Jim was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the VFW, and the Rotary Club.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Michael, daughter-in-law Trish Becher, and his siblings Frank, Jean Mattox, and Bunnie McAlexander.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of 68 years; daughters Kelly Diane Ratliff of Louisburg, Kansas; Kimberly Ann Porter and husband, Kelly, of Broomfield, Colorado; Jacque McNair and husband, Jason McNair, of Broomfield, Colorado; daughter-in-law Kelly Ratliff of Berthoud, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Sean (Lexi) Ratliff, Abby Ratliff, Katie (fiancee Cliff Glacy) Ratliff; Mackenzie & Jacob Porter, Reilly & Ben Ratliff-Becher, Harper and Aiden McNair; and one great-granddaughter, Camden James Ratliff.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. MT at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ogallala with Pastor Albert Bader officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at 2:00 p.m. CT at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul's Lutheran School in Jim's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala.