Gerald J. Ratchford

He is survived by his wife, Rita S. Ratchford, with whom he enjoyed 63 years of blissful marriage. Mr. Ratchford is also survived by his three children, whom he was especially close to: Michele Jean-Jumeau of Charlotte, Gerald (Jerry) S. Ratchford, (wife, Janet) of Charlotte and Melissa Johnson (husband, Eric) of Thomasville, GA; grandchildren Gabriel Jean-Jumeau (wife, Nan) of Charlotte, NC, Mike Jean-Jumeau of Charlotte, John Ratchford and Jordan Ratchford of Charlotte, NC, Ashlee Johnson of Gadsden, Alabama, Riley and Andrew Johnson of Thomasville, GA; his sister Alyce Joyce of Leigh Acres, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother Michael Ratchford (1949), sisters Nancy Togher (2024) and Eileen Ratchford (1963) of Scranton, PA.

Jerry was born on February 3, 1936, in Scranton, Pennsylvania at St. Mary’s Hospital to the late James and Irene Ratchford. After completing high school at Scranton Prep School, he went on to his beloved Villanova University earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His love of learning then led him to pursue additional degrees in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University, Syracuse University and an MBA from Queens University in Charlotte, NC in 1987. He served in the US Army at Fort Knox in 1959. He retired from IBM in 1992 after a 30-year career and then taught Engineering, Economics and Calculus courses at UNCC for 18 years.

His hobbies included playing golf and tennis. He was an active exercise fanatic at the Simmons YMCA and the Brightmore of South Charlotte exercise room before life slowed him down. He enjoyed making beer and wine for years, was an active member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church and its Men’s Club. He volunteered at the Small Business Association (SCORE), the Shepherd Center of Charlotte, was a mentor at Alexander Children’s Home and was an active member of the Society of Mechanical Engineers for over 50 years.

A gentle personality in a big body, he was devout in his faith and devoted to his family and friends. You could always find him with a smiling face and helping hand. In the end, he said he looked forward to meeting his savior and joining his family in Heaven for a back yard beer party with his Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters and a 12 course Italian meal with strawberry short cake, of course, with Rita’s parents, our beloved Nonni and Nonno.

He will be deeply missed by the many people that loved, admired and respected him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church located at 3016 Providence Road in Charlotte. Interment will follow in the columbarium of Saint Gabriel.

The family will receive friends and family from 10am to 11am in the chapel, prior to Mass.

The family extends a special thank you to Brightmore and the Pavilion staff for their dedicated care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gerald J. “Jerry” Ratchford and Rita S. Ratchford Endowed Scholarship at Villanova University. Donations can be made at www.villanova.edu/give writing in the scholarship description above or checks can be mailed to Villanova University, University Advancement, Riley Hall, 800 E. Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085.

Arrangements are in the care of McEwen Funeral Service - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.