Fred Thomas "Tommy" Ratchford Jr.

1948 - 2018

Fred Thomas "Tommy" Ratchford, Jr

Pensacola - Fred Thomas "Tommy" Ratchford Jr., a longtime Pensacola attorney and rock 'n' roll band leader since he was a teenager, died Sunday, June 3, 2018, from complications due to COPD. He was 69.

Ratchford retired from law practice May 31 and missed a gala retirement party set June 1 due to his hospitalization, so his family and friends will gather soon to celebrate. Plans for that event, as well as a traditional memorial service, will be announced viawww.ratchfords.us.

Born Oct. 31, 1948, in California, Ratchford was known by many Escambia County residents as lead singer and keyboard player for Gallery Night trio, The Song Byrds, with friends Jeff and Andree Byrd. Across the decades, he was a leading member of such local rock 'n' roll bands as Xenos, Soul-7, Laymen, George Emmanuel Trio and Six T's. He also was founder of The Pensacola Super Band, which performed at opening weekends for Pensacola Beach Bands on The Beach.

Until his health declined, Ratchford was a regular on Blab TV's "Justice for All" show focusing on legal issues. He was a member of the Florida Bar Association, a Mason, and active with the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Ratchford, an avid writer, said this about his life: "I consider myself a lucky guy - I've got a great wife that I love dearly, a lot of good friends both inside and out of the law profession, and I'm going out on top while I'm still perceived as the best in my field. Who could ask for more?"

He is survived by his wife, Suzy Brumfield Ratchford of Pensacola; a daughter, Amanda Ratchford Cherry (Andrew) and grandson Michael Thomas Andrew Cherry of Seattle, Wash.; his mother, Ruth McGuffee Ratchford (Ran Humphreys) of Pensacola; sister, Martha Ruth Ratchford (William Tucker) of Fernandina Beach, Fla; and step-son David Ray of McComb, Miss.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was preceded in death by his father, Fred Thomas Ratchford.

Ratchford was a graduate of Escambia High School in 1967, the University of Mississippi and Florida State University Law School.

The Ratchfords came to Pensacola in the 1950s when his father was stationed in the U.S. Navy. They moved around for a while, spending parts of his childhood in Cairo, Egypt and Guam, then returned to Pensacola in July 1964 when three bands - The Embers, The Scepters and The Contours - set the standard for local dance music, Ratchford wrote about the scene. "I became part of my first band in November of that year. It was called The Xenos." he wrote. "It was truly what you would call a garage band."

Friends often gathered at the Ratchfords' Warrington home, where he'd added a music room complete with stage, sound equipment and lighting, decorated with photographs from his many band performances. Music from those many parties could be heard throughout the neighborhood on weekend nights.

In a recent note to Ratchford about his retirement, Judge Jan Shackelford told him, "Not only did you set the standard for DUI defense for many years, but you were always gracious about sharing your experience and knowledge with others. You made a difference in this community and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to litigate with you."

Ratchford will be cremated with Trahan Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to Pensacola Humane Society, Escambia County Wildlife Rescue or The Leaning Post Ranch.