Obituary of Frederick Ratcliff

Obituary of Frederick Ratcliff Lt. Col. Frederick Ratcliff was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 29, 1926, to parents, Rev. and Mrs. Ford Ratcliff, Sr. Colonel Ratcliff finished Booker T. Washington High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from Tuskegee University in 1954, with a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Industries and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in occupation forces during World War II and saw combat duty in Korea. He received Bronze Star metal for his service in Korea and numerous other awards and decorations during his military career. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in the U. S. Army Reserves. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years and rose through ranks from Railway Mail Clerk to General Supervisor before retiring in 1986. He was active and supported of numerous civic organizations. Serving on the Board of Directors of the Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas for six years, Past President of The Association of Senior Citizen Group of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc., President of the South Dallas Amateur Radio Club, Past Vice President of the Dallas Metroplex Council of National Association of Retired Federal Employees, President of Chapter 122 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Member of the Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Association, Member of the Tuskegee University Alumni Association, Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Elks, Master Mason NAACP, and Urban League. Frederick accepted Christ at an early age, and he was a devoted and faithful member of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church since 1965. He served as chairman of the Trustee Board and president of The Cathedral Choir. Frederick married Mary Elizabeth Burney of Troy, Alabama, and to this union, four children were born. He later met and married Bobbie F. Ratcliff. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth; a brother, Ford Ratcliff, Jr.; and sister, Mary Henry. Frederick passed away on June 28, 2014. He leaves to cherish his memories: loving and devoted wife, Bobbie F. Ratcliff; children, Darryl Ratcliff (Joyce) of Desoto, Texas, Fredna R Brook Martin of Carrolton, Texas, Judy Fullylove (Ronny) of Sherman, Texas, and Geniene Ratcliff of Washington D.C.; stepchildren, Byron Smith, Bryan Smith, La Trece Wilson, Tevon and Arian Wilson; brother, Harold Ratcliff; sisters, Ethel Jefferson and Thelma Robinson (Tolbert) both of New Orleans, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Edith Ratccliff of Indianapolis, Indiana; special cousin he loved as a brother, McKinley Brister (Mary) of Florida; five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.