James Arthur Ratliff

James Arthur Ratliff, Jr. passed away peacefully on February 22, 2022.
He is preceded in death by his father, James Arthur Ratliff Sr; maternal grandfather, Michy Kravchenko, and maternal grandmother, Mary Mogosh Kravchenko.
James "Jim" is survived by his wife, Marilyn Ratliff; son, Franchescoly Torres Ratliff ( Mary); mother, Elizabeth Naffziger; brother, Michael Lillman ( Elodie); sisters, Judy Volgmann (Richard), Mary Lillman (Megna family), Elizabeth Griffin (Frankie), Brenda Ratliff-O'Briant (O’Briant family), and Tammy Sanchez ( Jaime); and numerous nieces and nephews.
A true American Patriot, James was a veteran who gave his entire soul to our country for 20 years as a T. Sargeant in the U.S Air Force since 1,987 and 7 years as a contractor with our military overseas. Jim was a kind and cheerful person, a hard-working man, someone who was always willing to give everything he had on his plate for someone else in need. He loved and honored his country and his entire family, he served in the middle east, Asia, and Guantanamo Bay. He went with the military to various parts of the world and served without precedent, and as far as his health allowed, working hard. Although he suffered intense pain and health problems after retiring, he never stopped standing up for the flag, God, and his family. His blue eyes lit up our lives every day, always with life advice, and he lived his life in gratitude to God, as if tomorrow was not promised.
He loved sports and was fan #1 of Duke University Basketball, working on his car, playing with his beloved dog “Roscoe”, he was passionate about traveling, and he was a highly literate man who loved to read and write.
We will miss him, seeing him working on "Sally" his blue Ford Mustang, and seeing him riding it around town, his incessant laughter, his jokes, and his warmth; he was a humble and kind man. We are left with an irreparable emptiness in our hearts, but knowing that Jimmy left a lot of love and wisdom after his death, gives us peace to continue firm as he would have wanted.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with service at 6:30 pm on Saturday, March 5th at Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels on Judson Road in San Antonio, Texas. Service will be live-streamed. The final burial with all military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA in the near future.
The family of James "Jim" wishes to extend their sincere thanks to all who have reached out to us, given support, and prayed for our family during this difficult time.