A Celebration of Life will be held for Herman I Ratcliff, Jr. on Wednesday June 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Methodist Church of El Dorado, AR. Mr. Ratcliff moved to his father’s house on June 12, 2021. He was born on March 8, 1935 in Minden, LA to Herman I Ratcliff, Sr. and Rae M Lumpkin Ratcliff. He is a graduate of Minden High School and LA Tech University.

Mr. Ratcliff enjoyed duck hunting in Otter Bottom, Corney Lake and South America. He spent several years hunting Canadian geese in Alberta, Canada. The youth hunts were on Lake Bistineau, Louisiana with his father and brothers. Of particular importance was his annual duck hunt with the Lumpkin cousins ​​on Lake Catahoula, Louisiana.

Mr. Ratcliff’s entire career has been spent in engineering at Phillips Petroleum Company. He worked on the Gulf Coast, the Mid Continent and the Rocky Mountains. His last posting was in El Dorado where he retired. He was a former member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute. Mr. Ratcliff received the Meritorious Safety Award from the American Petroleum Institute and the Phillips Petroleum Company.

He was a member of the El Dorado First Methodist Church and the Wesleyan Sunday School class. He was a past member of the church board, pastor-staff relations, and finance committee.

A privileged few knew he couldn’t cook except for a burger on the grill. But they also knew he had concocted a sumptuous duck salad and Cajun okra.

A friend once said he wouldn’t talk badly to a snake. Mr. Ratcliff was especially grateful for the life he saved on a family vacation to California. He retrieved a lifeless 12-year-old boy from the bottom of the motel pool and resuscitated him by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until his breathing was restored. The boy recovered overnight in the hospital.

Mr Ratcliff was predeceased by his parents, his wife Betty Jo Ratcliff and a young son, Jay Murray Ratcliff.

He is survived by his son Brian H. Ratcliff and his wife Karen of El Dorado, Arkansas and Bennet C. Ratcliff, of Bearsville, New York. Three grandchildren Ava, Becca and Serena Ratcliff also of Bearsville. Also twelve cousins ​​and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff on the 4th floor of MCSA and CCU and St. Vincent Hospice. Memorials can be made at First United Methodist Church 201 S. Hill Avenue El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

A private funeral service will be held at Smackover Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday June 15 from 5 to 7 pm at Young’s Funeral Directors, 508 Champagnolle Rd. Eldorado.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.