Lt. Col. Donald Keith Ratliff

July 23, 1930 - June 22, 2015

Lt. Col. Donald Keith Ratliff Obituary United States Air Force, Retired Donald Keith Ratliff passed away on June 22, 2015 in Spokane, Washington, he was 84 years old. Don was a resident of Spokane, WA where he moved in July of 2014 to be near family. Previous to that, Don and his wife Carol had retired to Tucson, AZ to enjoy golf with friends. Don was born in Kingsburg, California to Ella and Wasco Ratliff on July 23, 1930. He was the marble champion at Washington Elementary School. He graduated from Kingsburg High school in 1948 where he played the Coronet in the band. He graduated from Long Beach State College in 1961. Don was a career officer in the United States Air Force serving from 1951 to 1980. He was rated as a Command Pilot with over 7,600 hours. He flew fighter aircraft during the Korea Conflict and cargo aircraft throughout the Vietnam Conflict. He was stationed at several bases in the United States, as well as overseas tours in Japan, Korea and Vietnam. During his 26 years in the United States Air Force, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was a Command Pilot on multiple aircraft. He flew fighters and cargo aircraft in addition to Squadron Commander, Instructor Pilot, Training Officer and several Operations and Staff Officer positions. Aircraft flown: T-6, T-33, F-80A/B, F-94B/C, C-46, DC-3, C-119, T-39, C-97, C-130 and C-141. Don was awarded several combat and peacetime awards including; the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and Master Pilot Wings. While in the Air Force, he completed the Air Command and Staff College. After retiring from the Air Force, he attended Whitworth College in Spokane, WA earning his BS in Nursing Home Administration in 1982. He worked for the Good Samaritan Society in Eugene Oregon, Lacrosse Kansas and Spokane Washington. Don enjoyed Jazz, Snow Skiing, Boating and Water Skiing with his boys, Golf and professional and college sports with his wife Carol. He was active in many organizations including: Past President of The Reserve Officers Association (TROA) chapter in Spokane, WA, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Kansas, the American Veterans (AMVETS) in Tucson, AZ and the American Legion in Spokane, WA. Over the years, Don and Carol attended several reunions of his Kingsburg High School class of 1948 and the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS). Don was preceded in death by his parents, Sisters Jean Brixner and Harriet MacQuiddy and his second wife Carol Roberts. He is survived by two sons from his first marriage to Sheila O�Connell; Mark David Ratliff, and Terrance Daniel Ratliff and his wife Danette (Johnson) Ratliff. He is survived by Granddaughter Mollie Ruiz and many nephews and nieces including: Chuck and Paula MacQuiddy, Marcia and Ron Ronaldi, Sue Mayo and Sid Johnson, Carol and Derek McKee, Paul and Skye MacQuiddy, Stephen and Jen MacQuiddy, Bert and Bonnie Schilling. Donations in memory of Don may be sent to Riverbend Community Church Project, c/o Larry Workman, 685 North 5th Avenue, Kingsburg CA 93631. Cards and letters can be sent to Mark Ratliff, PO Box 871, Belleville MI 48112. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Lt. Col., please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events JUN 22