Ronald Ratcliff

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- 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, Dec. 9, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He is now finer than frog's hair split three ways. Ron died due to COVID-19 and related complications.

Ron was born May 1, 1950, in Cape Girardeau to the late Paul Ray and Mary Jane Scott Ratcliff. He married his wife, Rachel Tuten Gulick, on June 27, 2003, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Lovingly known as Ron, Ronnie, Big Ron, Dad, Daddy-O, Grandpa, Papa and 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 U.S. Army, he hauled ammunition and explosives during the Vietnam War. After his service, he went on to be a long-haul truck driver, crisscrossing the nation, including traveling along the ice roads in Alaska. After officially hanging up his truck keys, he worked heavy equipment on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. It was there he was exposed to World War II 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 Alcoholics Anonymous 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 No. 133 and First Baptist Church of Perryville, raised chickens and turkeys with Rachel, loved on his grandkids, served in prison ministry, hauled food from the food bank 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, Ron 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 every day.

Loving survivors include his wife, Rachel Ratcliff; daughter, Cory Arcak of College Station, Texas; sons, Randy Ratcliff of Patton, Missouri, and Colt Ratcliff of Palmer, Alaska; 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; 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 and 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, Ron was preceded in death by a 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 at 1 p.m. Saturday outside of First Baptist Church in Perryville, followed by full military honors. Overalls are welcome! Face masks/coverings will be required.

Ron's cremains will be laid to rest at Lake Seymour in Alaska.

To send an online condolence to the family, visit McCombs Funeral Home's website at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com; then click on the tribute wall tab of Ron's personal obituary.

Traditional gifts, cards and contributions may be sent to the family at McCombs Funeral Home, c/o Ronald Ratcliff, 640 West Independence St., Jackson, MO 63755.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Perryville First Baptist Church Food Bank in honor of Ron. To make an on-line contribution click on the donation tab at the top of Ron's obituary page.