Obituary

Gary Ray Ratzlaff – beloved brother, step-father, grandfather, and friend to many – passed away unexpectedly at the age of 68 on December 26, 2022 in Goodyear, Arizona. Gary was born to Ernest and Wanda Ratzlaff in Wichita, Kansas. He was the 2nd of four children. Gary attended McPherson College, where he was a member of the golf team, and went on to graduate from Wichita State University in 1977 with a degree in business administration. After graduating college, he worked as a manager for Ethan Allen in Wichita, Kansas. Gary later moved to Arizona where he worked on the operations side of distribution companies such as PepsiCo, McLane, and Core-Mark. In 2019, at the age of 64, Gary retired after a long and successful career. After his retirement, you could often find Gary out golfing at one of the many courses in the area with his friends or spending time with his two grandchildren: Emeri and Jaxsen. Gary was a caring person who would do anything for the ones he loved and was always there to lend a helping hand.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Ray Ratzlaff, his mother, Wanda Lee Chesney Ratzlaff, and his sister, Sheila Kay Guy. Gary is survived by his two step-sons: Patrick Rutherford (fiancé Katie, his children, daughter Emeri and son Jaxsen) and Ryan Rutherford (wife Melanie), his sister, Peggy Ann Secrest (daughter Carolyn, sons Jimmy and Thomas), his brother, Terry Lynn Ratzlaff (wife Sarah, sons Greg and Brian), and other extended family.

A celebration of life will be held at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, Arizona on January 21,2023 from 1 pm – 4 pm. A service will start at 2:30 pm for a time of remembrance.