Ronald Wayne Ratcliff

Ronald Wayne Ratcliff, 70, of Perryville traded in his battered and well-worn body for his Heavenly Harley Davidson and boogied on down the road Wednesday, December 09, 2020 at St. Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, MO. He is now finer than frog’s hair split three ways. Ron died due to COVID-19 and related complications. Ron was born May 01, 1950 in Cape Girardeau to the late Paul Ray and Mary Jane Scott Ratcliff. He married his wife Rachel Tuten Gulick June 27, 2003 in St. Petersburg, FL. Lovingly known as Ron, Ronnie, Big Ron, Dad, Daddy-O, Grandpa, Papa, & High Pockets amongst other things, he was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, grandpa, papa, mentor, sponsor, confidante, partner in crime, and forever friend. A Private in the US Army, he hauled ammunition and explosives during the Vietnam War. After his service, he went on to be a long haul truck driver criss crossing the nation including traveling along the ice roads in Alaska. After officially hanging up his truck keys, he worked heavy equipment on Eielson Airforce Base. It was there that he was exposed to WWII mustard gas during a work accident, changing his life forever. Eventually he moved back to the lower 48 leaving behind the adopted family he met through AA and his Harley Hog Runs across the country. While no longer in Alaska, part of his heart always remained. After time in California, Texas, and Florida, he returned to Missouri. Living in Perryville since 2008 he hung up his leathers for his overalls and was busier than a three-legged cat in a sand box. Having never met a stranger, he was a member of American Legion Post 133, First Baptist Church of Perryville, raised chickens & turkeys with Rachel, loved on his grandkids, served in the prison ministry, hauled food from the foodbank and most recently was the Train Engineer for the Bucky Express and Chef extraordinaire at the PFC kitchen sharing a hot plate, kind word, joke or scripture for all those who came “hungry.”

After a hell raising youth, he spent the last 37 years of his life working the program with AA. It was this hard work that allowed for the many relationships to come. Up to the end, he shared his own story in an attempt to prevent the suffering of others, forever sharing his spirit of love and service. His faith, family, friends and the AA community fueled him everyday. Loving survivors include his wife Rachel, daughter Cory Arcak of College Station, TX, two sons Randy Ratcliff of Patton, MO and Colt Ratcliff of Palmer, Alaska, four children by marriage; Jessica Loberg, Jeremy Gulick, Brian (Andrea) Albritton and Christopher (Melissa) Albritton, sister Sandra (Lorenzo) Hernandez, sister and brother by marriage; Jeana (Keith) Amaral and James (Cydney) Tuten, three grandchildren; Andrew (DeeAnna) Ramsey, Tristan Ratcliff and Remington Ratcliff, and great-grandchild Jason Ramsey. Also surviving are several grandchildren by marriage including Alaina, Lucas, Chase, Brayson & Bella of Perryville as well as many dearly loved nieces, nephews and cousins stretching as far north as Alaska and as far south as Texas and Florida. He is also survived by his adopted Perryville “Mother” Anna Winkler who was always ready with freshly baked cookies or cake even when he was supposed to be on a diet. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by brother Paul Ray Ratcliff, sister Lorie Anne Welte son-in-love Erkut Arcak, daughter-in-love Brandy Ratcliff and grandson Briar Ratcliff. A celebration of life will be held outside at Perryville First Baptist Church in Perryville MO on Saturday December 19, 2020 at 1:00pm, followed by full military honors. Overalls Welcomed! Face Masks/Coverings required. Ron’s cremains will be laid to rest at Lake Seymour in Alaska. Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the TRIBUTE WALL tab at the top of Ron's obituary. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Perryville First Baptist Church Foodbank in honor of Ron. To make an on-line contribution click on the Donation tab at the top of Ron's obituary page.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center to aid the family with final expenses
640 West Independence Street, Jackson MO 63755
Tel: 1-573-243-2424
Email: mccombsfuneralhome@gmail.com
Web: http://www.mccombsfuneralhome.com

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First Baptist Church, Perryville, Missouri
416 North Main Street, Perryville MO 63775
Tel: 1-573-547-4644
Web: https://www.fbcperryville.net/