Garry Lee Ratliff

Garry Lee Ratliff was born in Spokane, WA on September 18, 1936. At two, he moved with his parent’s Luther O. and Willene M. Ratliff to Electric City, WA in the Grand Coulee Dam area during its construction years. Garry graduated from Grand Coulee High School in 1954. He later graduated from Washington State University in 1959 and 1960 with a BA in Social Sciences and a BA in Sociology. Shorty thereafter, 1960-1965, he served as a missile officer on the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Combat Crew in Cheyenne, WY. During that time, Garry married Treva P. Simpson in 1962. In 1963, daughter Kimberly was born at the Warren AFB hospital in Cheyenne. In July 1965, he was assigned to intelligence training at Lowry AFB Aurora, CO. While there, son Kenneth was born at the Fitzsimmons Army Hospital. One year later, Garry became a targets officer in Hampton, VA. In 1967, he studied the Vietnamese language in Monterey, CA for a 1 year USAF deployment to Vietnam. In 1968, Garry took his family from Cheyenne to Wiesbaden, Germany for the next 3 years,1968-1971. He worked as an Intelligence Analyst. While there, he attended the University of Southern California and received a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration,1970.

Upon returning to the US, 1971, he was assigned to the Pentagon in Arlington, VA as an Intelligence Analyst who wrote briefings for the Joint Chief’s of Staff, Secretary of Defense, Vice President, and President of the United States.

In 1974, he transferred to Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA, as the Wing Staff Intelligence Officer until 1980 when Garry was honorably retired as Major with 20 years of service to this country. His awards include: The Bronze Star Medal for service in combat, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, Joint Service Commendation, Meritorious Service, and The Vietnam Honor Medal. While in the USAF, Garry began preparation for a teaching career through Gonzaga University and Whitworth University obtaining his teaching credential and a Master of Science degree.

From 1982-2002, Garry taught at Sacajawea Middle School in Spokane. His subjects included history, geography, and aerospace with an emphasis on flying and rocketry. While teaching, he received the Spokesman Review Teacher of the Year award and is listed in Who’s Who Among Teachers. He was also presented the Certificate of Recognition for outstanding teaching by the Spokane Educational Association.

One of Garry’s strengths was his optimism. He loved the Lord Jesus and represented Him through service at Trinity Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Garry had other passions such as crafting leather, glass, & jewelry. He was an active member for many years of the Spokane Magic Club where he occasionally performed with his son in entertainment magic. But Garry’s ultimate passion was his love of airplanes. He was an avid pilot owning 2 airplanes at the Mead Airport in Spokane, WA. The FAA presented Garry with The Wright Brother Master Pilot award for dedicated service in aviation safety as a consecutive pilot for 58+ years. Additionally, he was inducted into the United Flying Octogenarians, which are active pilots, over the age of 80, in command of their aircraft. During this time, he served as president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). He also enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes with his close friends in various clubs. Garry’s other enjoyment was traveling with his wife in their RV throughout the country for 20+ years. They also delighted in driving their 1930 Ford Model A car in several parades as members of the Inland Empire A’s.

Garry is preceded in death by his parent’s, Luther and Willene Ratliff and beloved wife Treva P. Ratliff. He is survived by his daughter, Kim and son-in-law Greg Quirke, son, Kenny Ratliff, granddaughter, Ashton and husband Spencer Lott, and grandson, Branson Quirke.

A celebration of life service will be on March 7, 2025 at 10 am at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 W. Wellesley, Spokane, WA 99205.