Lyle Ratcliffe

Gerald Lyle Ratcliffe, age 61 of Hale, Missouri, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023 due to a car accident. He was born Nov. 16, 1961 in Fort Hood, TX where his father was stationed in the Army. His mother Caroline had given birth to two girls prior to Lyle’s birth. As she was being wheeled into the delivery room the doctor asked whether it was to be a boy or a girl? Caroline said, “It will be another darn girl!” This was before ultrasound to determine the sex of the child. When the doctor pulled him out he held him up and said, “What did you say this was?” She could see his big feet and his private parts and started crying. The doctor asked, "why are you crying?" She said, "I'm crying for joy!" Lyle weighed just 5lbs 13oz and 21in long. He soon made up the weight and was close to 6ft tall by the time he was 14. Lyle had a severe fever at the age of 4. This caused a reading disability in school. He could read the words but not necessarily comprehend them. He did the best he could and graduated high school in Arvada, Colorado. Lyle loved to help people, was very accommodating and was very loving. He enjoyed his work and tried to do his best. He enjoyed the treats his boss’s wife made. He loved animals and they loved him. While he was working the family dairy in 1993 he could lie on the top of the bull and get the bull to follow him. Lyle enjoyed working with his hands and made some wind chimes for several people. He made a big bird feeder to sit on his parent's deck railing. Lyle liked to collect hot wheel cars and enjoyed playing card games, bowling, pool and darts. He was his parent's right hand man and was looking forward to returning from his job in November. They were also looking forward to it so they could get the yard worked on. He helped his parents work on their house as it was being built. They can’t be sad knowing he has gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior Jesus. He is survived by his mother, Caroline (Robert) Leebl; one son, Gerald (Joey) Ratcliffe; one daughter, Ann Jefferies; one brother, Gordon Ratcliffe; three sisters, Bette Miller, Patricia Novac, Christina Hawkins; one half-brother, Randy Ratcliffe; one half-sister, Deidre Ratcliffe; three step-sisters, Denice Leebl, Deborah Quintana, and Donna Hudson. He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Milton Ratcliffe, and one step-brother, Robert Leebl. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the Lexington Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ, located at 802 S. Business Highway 13 Lexington, Missouri 64067 with Val Brotherton officiating.

Lyle Ratcliffe

November 16, 1961 - August 14, 2023