Clifford Ratliff

May 26, 1928 - March 29, 2017

Clifford Wayne Ratliff of Colorado Springs passed away March 29th, 2017.    Wayne was born in Fowler, Colorado on May 26, 1928.  His family lived on their farm until moving to Rocky Ford, CO.  when he was 12 years old.  He graduated from Rocky Ford High School and enlisted in the United States Navy.  He returned to Rocky Ford and married Dorothy (Dotty) Lackey and they had 2 children. Karen and Dennis Wayne. He began farming until 1971 when he and his wife Dorothy (Dotty) Lackey moved to Colorado Springs and he began a new career in Refrigeration and Heating Engineering at the Broadmoor Hotel, where he worked for 10 years.  He ended his career retiring from Fort Carson Military Hospital.  Wayne's passions were hunting, fishing and skiing. He traveled throughout Colorado to fish and went to Alaska 3 times to fish for halibut and salmon. He hunted many places in Colorado to hunt elk but his favorite place was Big Mountain. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, and a lifetime member of the Elks in Rocky Ford. Wayne was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Wayne in 1952, his parents Maude and Dale Ratliff, his sister Helen Elaine Prior and his wife of 68 years Dorothy Louise (Lackey) Ratliff. Wayne is survived by his daughter Karen Marconi and her husband Dennis Marconi of Colorado Springs.  Granddaughter Kristie Leslie and her husband Tim as well as their 3 daughters Marlayna, Taylor and Brooke.  His nephew, niece and many cousins. Wayne's typical quote to his daughter was "We've had a good life". Funeral services will be on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 1:00 PM in the Ford - Ustick Funeral Home in Rocky Ford, with Pastor John Dell officiating. Interment will immediately following in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Rocky Ford. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford - Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.