Howard Kenneth Ratcliff, a 1960 graduate of Brookhaven High School, passed away in Denison, Texas on May 15 following a brief illness.

Born Jan 4,1942 he left Brookhaven in 1965 to work for Ashland Oil in Ferriday, LA. After holding various postions with Ashland in Ferriday, Ashland, Ky, New Orleans, LA and Tyler & Houston, TX, he retired in 1999 as Regional Security Manager. He graduated from both Copiah Lincoln Junior College with an AA degree and the University of Southern Mississippi obtaining both his BS & Masters.

Following his retirement he attended and graduated from Kilgore College's, Kilgore, Texas, Police Academy and obtained his Texas Peace Officers license. He worked with the Henderson County Constable's Office, Grayson Community College and Grayson County Sheriffs department in various positions before becoming a full-time retiree.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Trudy Massengale Ratcliff, also a former Brookhavenite, daughter, Tammy Reiter and husband, Nick of Mckinnev, TX., son, Christopher, and his wife Allison of Houston, TX and 6 grandchildren, Tyler, Grace & Cameron Reiter of McKinney, TX,Landon Ratcliff & twins Spencer & Tucker Ratcliff of Houston, TX and half-sister Judy McGee Arender of Laurel, MS.

Mr. Ratcliff was a member of the King's Trail Cowboy Church of Whitewright, TX.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Lamar Ratcliff & Flora Laverne Pierce Ratcliff, one sister, Virginia Ratcliff Thompson and half-brother Jimmy McGee.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Brookhaven Funeral Home.

A reception for all those wishing to attend will be held at the Hampton lnn immediately following the service.