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Joe Ratcliff
1933 - 2017
Joe Ratcliff
1933 - 2017
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Joe Ratcliff Obituary
1933-2017
Joe Barry Ratcliff, 83, born August 19, 1933 to Samuel and Marie Ratcliff in Amarillo, TX passed away May 28, 2017. Joe was a former resident of Houston, TX, Clear Lake, TX and 35 + year resident of Austin, TX. Joe moved to Katy, TX to be near his daughter and her family and was a resident of The Legacy at Falcon Point. Joe was a 1951 graduate from Kress High School in Kress, TX. He was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. He was awarded several awards including an outstanding marksman in his platoon 143. After that, he attended the University of Texas and earned a BBA in 1958. He was a true lifelong fan of the Longhorns. He began a 30+ year career at IBM working in Dallas, Ft Worth, Beaumont, Houston, and finally his favorite city, Austin. His retirement was full of trips across the countryside with Carolyn, golfing, taking major walks every day, crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy, and becoming a grandfather. His carefree attitude and politeness will never be forgotten. One highlight of his later years was when his group of friends got together and gave him a gift of riding in a WWII AT6 pilot training plane for his 70th birthday. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard Ratcliff, his wife of 42 years Carolyn. He is survived by his son, Barry Ratcliff and wife Juliana, daughter Stacy Frank and husband Russell, grandsons Jason Frank and wife Chanda, Connor Frank and wife Michelle. Sisters-In-Law Ginger Rodriguez and Barbara Johnson, Brothers-In-Law John R. Johnson, James Johnson and wife Kathy, Frank X. Rodriguez, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service will be held, Friday, June 9, 2017 at 12:00pm at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038 with a committal service to follow to the Houston National Cemetery.
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Duane Hansen
October 22, 2018
To Barry Jr.
Joe Radcliff was a special person to me. He recruiting me to IBM from U of Utah and we worked closely together from 1977-1993 when he retired. We worked together planned and plotting in HR. We both supervised the annual opinion survey and United Way Training for 4-5 years. I still have his favorite "left handed" electric pencil sharpner as a token memory. It sits on my den shelf. Without Joe's polite and easy going personality, I would not have the life I have now, not working for IBM for 25 years. We ate lunch together, told jokes together, laughed together, walked the halls and mfg floor of IBM together, answered Speak Ups together...all the HR stuff of a close knit group of IBM HR...pre-Gerstner. I really regret not keeping in touch with him after he retired and I was transferred to Raleigh in 1995. He did like to eat right and walk I remember. I admired that he always had good, positive words and compliments about his wife who suffered from bad health for a long time. I just noticed this obit (Oct 2018)...a year too late to say good-bye to a special friend and collegue.
Duane Hansen
Holly Springs, NC
Ted Kennedy
July 9, 2017
Barry and Stacy, I am sorry it took me so long to remember Joe but I lost the address of the site. Joe was a close and dear friend who I enjoyed all the years I knew him. We played golf, drank and ate chili. I will never forget him and the good times we all had together.
Ted and Kathy Kennedy
Bill and Doris Cox
June 9, 2017
Barry & Stacey, we are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. We had so many good times over the last 30 years with Joe & Caroline before her passing. We will miss them & cherish their memories
May God give peace and comfort to you & your families.
Blessings
Doris & Bill Cox
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Ron & Connie Ruple
June 6, 2017
Barry & Stacy,
As you know, Joe was a great friend to many of us for a lot of years. We had many good times with both he and Caroline. He has been missed since moving to Katy.
Our deepest sympathy to you both.
Sonny Czarnecki
June 6, 2017
RIP Brother
Semper Fi
Sonny Czarnecki
Phil & Joyce Pollacia
June 2, 2017
Joe is gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. He was a good friend in Houston and Austin. As a circle of IBM retirees gathered for lunch, Joe was always a balance. His dry sense of humor was refreshing.
Joyce and I pray for him and his family. May he rest in peace.
God Bless you Joe.
Jon Nordstrom
June 1, 2017
Joe was friend and confidant for close to 50 years We will miss him dearly.
Semper Fi, Joe
Hal Ratcliff
June 1, 2017
Joe was my Cousin. My Dad Glenn Ratcliff took me to watch Joe play in the Regional Championship Football Game @ Kress High School in 1950. I will miss Joe. Rest in Peace
Ginger Rodriguez
June 1, 2017
Joe was a unique individual, very sure of who he was and what he wanted in life. He loved his family unabashedly, showing by his actions the depth of his love.
Joe demonstrated his bravery in many ways, including teaching me to drive a stick shift. He was observant of eye and dry of wit, and shared his pithy observations with all who would listen.
Life around Joe was calm, but never dull. He will always be a part of my life.
Stevie and Don Tompkins
June 1, 2017
Joe and Caroline were great friends for years. We had a big group of Friday night flingers, and they were always part of the fun. They were loyal friends and fine people. Stevie and Don Tompkins
John R. Johnson
May 31, 2017
Joe was truly a good person, and I respected him as much as anyone I've ever known.
Rest in peace, Joe
My condolences to Barry and Stacy.
Sylvia Stern
May 31, 2017
I worked with Joe at IBM. He was such a gentle soul. My condolences to the family. We had many long talks. Sweet memories
Erica Johnson
May 30, 2017
Stacy and Barry,
I am so sorry. Uncle Joe was always so nice to me. I spent the most time with him and your mom when I lived in Austin. They were both always so welcoming. Love to you both.
Erica
Dara Johnson
May 30, 2017
We love you and will miss you, Uncle Joe.
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