AUBURNDALE - John Curtis Ratliff, 61, of Auburndale, FL died Monday,March 23, 2009 at his residence due to Lung Cancer caused by Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

Born May 9, 1947 in Hellier, KY to Elster and Opal Ratliff he moved to Auburndale in 1971 from Chicago, IL.  He was the Owner of Sun Coast Roofing; was of the Baptist Faith and was a member of the VFW in Lakeland, FL.  John was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War.

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by: his wife of 39 years, Linda’ a son, John Ratliff, Jr. of Auburndale, FL; a daughter, Lacinda Ratliff of Auburndale, FL; a brother, Elster Ratliff of Chicago, IL; 3 grandsons, Jake Ratliff, Stefan Ratliff and John Ratliff, III; and a granddaughter, Cheyenne Ferguson.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm till 7:00pm, Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am., Friday, March 27, 2009 in the Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Bill Harper officiating.  Entombment will follow at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens in Auburndale.   Memorials may be sent to www.goodshepherdhospice.org.  Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.