Written by Odessa Mahan Purselley
James N. Ratliff, Jr., the son of J.N. and Ada Ratliff, was born on July 10, 1909 in Granbury, Texas. He was a service station operator and auto mechanic with his father until 1943 when he enlisted in the service of World War II.
James married Lorena Mahan on December 25, 1931 at Granbury, Hood County, Texas. To that union three daughters were born: Thelma Lorena, Delores, and Janet.
In 1943 James enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee and served as a MM 1/c for three years in the South Pacific area. He received injuries while in the islands and was hospitalized there for a while. Then he was sent back to California to the naval hospital in San Francisco.
When he returned home, James continued with service station employment as his health permitted.
James died August 27, 1970 at his home in Granbury. His services were held at the Assembly of God Church in Granbury, Texas of which he was a member. His burial was in the Acton Cemetery in Hood County, Texas.