Surnames: Ratliff, Haseltine, Meyers, Martinez, Ervin, Parks, Jones, Sahli, Collins, Porter Ralph Junior Ratliff, 74, a resident of Hood River (Oregon) died at his daughter's home in Hood River on Monday, November 18, 2002. He was born January 25, 1928 in San Mateo, California, the youngest child of Ralph and Irene (Haseltine) Ratliff. After graduating from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, he served with the Merchant Marines and was a veteran of World War II. He married Beatrice Meyers in the Bay Area in 1946, where he helped to run the family's ambulance service, the first of its kind in the area. They moved from the Bay Area with their five children to Parkdale (Oregon) in 1967. He tended bar for many years at several establishments including Eddie Mays Inn, The Elks and The American Legion. He was also owner and operator of the Enco gas station on the Heights in Hood River in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the late 70s and early 80s Ralph operated Ralph's Floor Covering in Hood River and in the last few years he worked in the toll booth at the Hood River Bridge. He was an avid outdoorsman, whether it was hunting for game with friends and family or hunting for mushrooms. He also enjoyed fishing at the local lakes with his grandchildren and ocean fishing with his buddies. Gambling was a favorite hobby. He was a life member of the Elks for 36 years and also a member of the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister and brothers. He is survived by daughter, Joanne Ratliff, San Jose, California; daughter, Lenore Martinez; son, Chris Ratliff and his wife, Susan; daughters Sherry Ervin and Mitch Travelstead; Terry Parks and her husband, Ron, all of Hood River; sister-in-law, Carol Ratliff, Hood River, and her children, including her son, Bob Ratliff, Odell (Oregon); cousins Gary Haseltine, Hood River, and Chloe Ann Jones, Hermiston (Oregon); life-long friend and godfather to his children, George Mohun, Hood River; niece, Debi Sahli, and nephew, Tom Collins both Laughlin, Nevada, and nephew Rick Collins, San Diego (California) stepdaughter, Nicki Porter, Portland; and 14 grandchildren and six great, grandchildren. In accordance with his wishes there will be no public ceremonies; the family will observe a private celebration of his life at his daughter's home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Gorge, 751 Myrtle Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Arrangements were by Columbia Cremation & Burial. The Dalles Chronicle November 24, 2002. Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser Member of Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society c/o The Dalles/Wasco County Public Library 722 Court Street The Dalles, Oregon 97058 http://community.oregonlive.com/cc/genealogy Browse http://historysavers.com/orwasco/ for recently updated information regarding Wasco County. Links are at the bottom of page. "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant". Robert Louis Stevenson