Orbery Dee Ratliff died Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at Meridian Nursing Home in Comanche at the age of eighty-two. He was born July 7, 1923, in Comanche, Oklahoma, to Stell and Tishey Ratliff. After graduating high school Dee joined the U.S. Army in 1943. He served in the European Theater during World War II in Company A, 70th Tank Battalion, where he received three bronze stars. He continued his military career after the war in the Reserves until the Korean War. He was discharged from active duty in September of 1951. He married Betty Lou Smith June 2, 1946, in Duncan, Oklahoma. He worked as a pump and compressor mechanic for Sun Oil Company until his retirement. Dee was a member of both the Comanche American Legion Post 258 and the Comanche Masonic Lodge. He was also very active in his community - member of the Meridian Water Board, volunteer for the Meridian Fire Department and volunteer in law enforcement.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, January 20 at the Dudley Funeral Home Chapel in Comanche, with Dow Pannell officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche under the personal care and direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Comanche.

Survivors include: his wife, Betty, of the home in Comanche, OK; two daughters - LaWanda Powers of Comanche, OK, and Christine Watson of Midville, TX; three grandchildren - Shane McClennen, Kyle Maddox, and Chelle Dixon Newsom; and one great-granddaughter - Kylie Dixon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lonnie Dee Ratliff.

Funeral services for Mr. Ratliff were at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 20, 2006, at the Dudley Funeral Home Chapel in Comanche with Dow Pannell officiating. Burial was in the Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Comanche. Pallbearers were Shane McClennen, Kyle Maddox, Andy Collins, Mike Powers, Brian Maddox, and Chris Lawson. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Pollock, Troy Gipson and Lark Kirkpatrick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chisholm Trail Hospice in Duncan or the Comanche American Legion Post 258.