Gary Ratzlaff

Gary Howard Ratzlaff, age 76, of Lamar, Missouri died Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Missouri after a long battle with cancer. Gary was born February 18, 1942 in Montezuma, Kansas to Walter Ratzlaff and Arlene Mae (Lewis) Ratzlaff. After graduating from Lamar High School in 1960, he went on to obtain a law degree from Washburn University. On February 12, 1962 he married Sue Carol Boyer in Miami, Oklahoma and together they raised two children. Gary was a partner in the law firm of Boyer and Ratzlaff Attorneys at Law and had also served as Barton County Prosecuting Attorney as well as a Circuit Court Judge. He was a member of the Missouri Bar Association and enjoyed bicycling, reading and coaching girls’ softball. Survivors include a son, Michael Ratzlaff, Seattle, Washington; a daughter, Sherri, and husband Tex Monday, Greenwood, Missouri; a sister, Marsha Harkrader, Appleton City, Missouri; and two grandsons, Nathan Pickering and his wife Kelli, Stillwater, Oklahoma and Hunter Pickering, Blue Springs, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sue Ratzlaff on May 29, 2017. Graveside service will be 10:00 am Monday, December 17, 2018 at Lake Cemetery the Rev. Steve George officiating. The family will receive friends 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Daniel Funeral Home. Contributions are suggested to Barton County Humane Society in care of Daniel Funeral Home.