2020/02/obit-frank-image1-209x300.jpgFrank Ratliff passed away on Feb. 7 at the age of 70. He was born in Fort Sumner, N.M., on Dec. 15, 1949. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1967 and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. He pursued a degree in ag/business.
He began his working career with the city of Albuquerque and surveyed northern Albuquerque, Placitas, Carnuel and Rio Rancho, which was a working cattle ranch at the time. He worked for Bixby Electric and installed the lighting at the Ruidoso Airport. He then bought the family farm in Fort Sumner and farmed for 19 years. Frank moved to Pagosa Springs in 1989 and bought Overhead Door. He started employment at Archuleta County and retired from Archuleta County Weed and Pest after 22 years.
Frank received a Certificate of Recognition from the Colorado Department of Agriculture for demonstrating the highest attributes of public service for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. He was given the Archuleta County Employee Distinguished Service Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to Archuleta County. Frank received a Certificate of Appreciation from the San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District for his work ethic, persistence, cooperation and patience in administering the Invasive Species Cooperative Agreement for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest for 2010-2013. He was named Western Slope Weed Manager of the Year for 2001. He was awarded the 2005 Weed Manager of The Year from the Colorado Weed Management Association out of a field of over 350 members. Dec. 21, 2005, was declared Frank Ratliff day in Archuleta County in grateful recognition of his contributions to our community.
Frank was preceded in death by his father, L.C. “Pete,” his mother, Jessie May, and his brother, Stephen. He is survived by his wife, Jolene, of Pagosa Springs; daughter, Kara (Ken); and grandchildren Jordan and Trenton of Rio Rancho, N.M.; his brother, Eddie (DeLynn), of Durant, Okla.; and sister, Nancy Crownover (Russell), of Cloudcroft, N.M.
Please consider a donation to Pagosa Springs Medical Center Oncology Department or your favorite charity in Frank’s name.
There will be no services at this time at the request of Frank. A private service will be held at a later date at his favorite fishing stream on Wolf Creek.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jordan, Dr. Tjan, Kelly Cesary and the staff of the Oncology Department at Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Mercy Hospice, and Ray and Katherine Luna for their loving care of Frank.
