John Delmar Ratza

John Delmar Ratza John Delmar Ratza, 88, of Charlottesville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at Rosewood Village.

John was born on July 13, 1923, in Royal Oak, Michigan, the son of Joseph John Ratza and Hulda Zuellig Ratza. He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Morrill; and brother, Joseph Ratza, both of Michigan; and his daughter-in law, Sally Van Arsdale Ratza of Concord, Caifornia. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Doris Ratza of Charlottesville; sons, John Thomas Ratza and his wife, Rhonda, of Kerrville, Texas, and Terrence Lee Ratza of Concord, California; daughter, Barbara Anne Primiani and her husband, Peter, of Trevilians, Virginia; grandchildren, Joshua Ratza and Kerry Ratza of Lopez Island, Washington, Lanie Towsley of Houston, Texas, Michael Primiani of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Matthew Primiani and Daniel Primiani, both of Trevilians, Virginia; and five great- grandchildren. John grew up in Birch Run, Michigan, on his grandparents farm. In January 1942, at age 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps seeing active duty in three major engagements in the Pacific including Guadalcanal and the Samoan Islands. In 1946, he was honorably discharged. In his early career, he served as a brick contractor, later becoming a licensed general contractor in Northern California. He built many custom homes throughout the east bay area during the late 1950's and 1960's. In 1969, John purchased an outdoor furniture shop, Sun Fun, in Santa Clara, California, which he and Doris operated for 15 years before moving to Virginia in 1984. For many years, John and Doris were active golfing members of Round Hill Country Club and Los Altos Country Club in California, and Farmington and Glenmore Country Clubs here in Charlottesville. In the winters, they would travel to New Smyrna Beach to play golf where they maintained a second residence. John will always be remembered for his love of his family and for golf. He was a hard worker who always had a project going whether it was a home improvement, working in his yard, or in the vegetable garden. Interment will be private.

The family would like to thank Crystal Houchens of Louisa, for the care she provided John and Doris in their later years and the caring community and staff at Rosewood Village.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10303.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.