John Ratliff

John Thomas Ratliff, 65, of West Alexandria, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Jan 1, 2017. Visitation will be held at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral home in Gratis, Ohio, on Tue, Jan 3 from 5pm to 7pm.  Funeral services will be held at the Gratis United Methodist Church on Wed, Jan 4 at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Twin Valley Cemetery, Enterprise Rd. West Alexandria.  John was born February 4, 1951 in Middletown, Ohio, to parents James Everett Ratliff and Marlys Hauge Ratliff.  He is survived by his mother Marlys Ratliff, brother Daniel E. Ratliff (Connie) of Farmersville, Ohio; sister Mary Ratliff Graham (David) of Jupiter, Florida; sister-in-law Carolyn Haas Ratliff and his many nieces, nephews, friends and associates who came to know John over his life.  He is preceded in death by his father James E. Ratliff and brother James Edward Ratliff.  John graduated from Twin Valley South High School in 1969 and from Miami University in 1973.  At Miami, he participated in football, track and played 3 years of rugby.  After graduation, he started his sales career at Xerox, followed by 35 years at Federal Express as a Senior Account Manager.  Over his career John lived in San Francisco, Chicago, and Dayton.  John enjoyed his hobbies - golf, discussing politics and US history, horses, genealogy, old trucks, and volunteer coaching of TVS track / football.  John was an avid people person - he loved spending time at family and friends gatherings where his wonderful sense of humor, kind heart and positive spirit was always on display.  For 23 years, he was an active member of the Oxford Bible Fellowship Church.  John's love of travel and successful career allowed for trips to Norway, Brazil, Australia, Fiji, England, and all of the US.  During the last year of his life, he made significant contributions to the advancement of U.S.-France relations through his friendship with a French government official.  John will forever be remembered and missed by all who him. Donations Can be made in honor of John to the Preble County Humane Society.