James "Jim" Richard Ratliff

James “Jim” Richard Ratliff, 88, of Bloomington, Indiana died Sunday, July 9, 2017 surrounded by family. Born 1928 in Bloomington, he was the son of Oscar Ratliff and Freda Branam Ratliff and was raised in Unionville, Indiana. Jim married Norma Cooter Ratliff on August 5, 1948 and married Rita Hacker Frye Ratliff on August 30, 1993. Jim drove a semi-truck for 40 years. He was a Teamster and drove for Transport Motor Express (TMX) in Bloomington. After retiring he combined his passion for boating and served as the Lake Lemon Patrolman. He moved to Florida in 1986, and there he worked as a property manager at Fish Eating Creek Campground in the Everglades. He was thrilled to take actor Don Johnson on airboat fishing adventures and other celebrities during this period. Jim loved boating of all sorts. He owned houseboats, speedboats, and cruisers. His sons fondly remember the water skiing, houseboating, and river trips on the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. Jim thoroughly enjoyed taking many children boating and skiing including neighborhood children, Little League teams he coached and his sons. He also was a talented roller-skater most of his life. Jim is survived by his wife, Rita, sons, Tom Arthur (Janet) of Dickerson, TX, Mike Ratliff of Unionville, Rick Ratliff (Katie) of Napa, CA, Ron Ratliff (Kerry) of Bloomington, and Rob Ratliff (Paula) of Ellettsville. His grandchildren include, Dawnna Ratliff of Bloomington, Shane Ratliff of Bloomington, Ian James Ratliff of Davis, CA, Josh Ratliff, of Columbus, IN, Benjamin Slinkard Ratliff of Bloomington, Sara Ratliff Palacios, of Columbus, IN, Isaac Ratliff of Ellettsville, IN, Chelsea Malwitz of Bloomington, Brian Arthur of Dickerson, TX, and Beth Arthur of Dickerson, TX; along with six great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by Rita’s children, Barry Frye (Lisa) of Owensburg, IN, Jodi Wildman (Andy) of Caneyville, KY, and grandchildren, Samantha Frye and Laura Wildman “Sugar”. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at New Unionville Baptist Church, 6020 East State Road 45, Bloomington. A private graveside will be held at Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, have been entrusted with arrangements. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to Jim’s family at www.allencares.com

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James "Jim" Richard Ratliff

December 22, 1928 - July 9, 2017