Tommy Ratliff

Thomas Wayne Ratliff was born April 15, 1953, in Muleshoe, Texas. He was the youngest of three boys. His family’s move to Hobbs, New Mexico changed his life. It was there Tommy made lifelong friends, including his best friend for life, Paul Hulin, and discovered the joy of athletics. He was an outstanding football player and a running back on the state championship team coached by Doug Ethridge. Coach Gene Wells was an integral part of his life as a   runner by teaching him proper technique. Tommy realized he could run faster than he thought, and he was elated to become a member of the mile relay team that went to nationals.  He never took winning for granted and was willing to work exceptionally hard to be the best. This was a life lesson he passed on to his three sons, and as they made their mark in history as members of the Midland Lee Rebel football team during the golden years as three-time consecutive state champions, he was an active participant as a dad, as a fan, and as president of the Booster Club.

Tommy’s connection to track continued throughout most of his life. He became a certified master official, and this was a role that extended for decades. His goal was to ensure the integrity of the sport, and as he became an official for Division I universities, as well as various conferences and national meets, his appreciation for the entire track and field world grew. Tommy loved the sport, and he loved those he worked with. Most people never get to experience the kind of camaraderie these guys had. They were a band of brothers in every sense of the word - experts that played off each other's strengths and weaknesses, focused on each task, held each other accountable, and had more fun doing it than should be allowed. One of the highlights of Tommy’s officiating was being asked to Referee at the Texas Relays. This was a role that was extended to him for several years, and he was humbled by it. He was quick to accept and knew he could count on support from others to create an exceptional event for participants, coaches and fans from year to year. The years he spent officiating were among the most wonderful of his life

Tommy was defined by his faith. He read his Bible every day. He had a generous heart and was happy to help those in need. He believed in giving and did so cheerfully, always praying that God would bless what he gave and that it would in some way be used to bring others to Christ. Giving became a habit that was put into practice several years into his marriage. Believers are told that they will be blessed for giving back to God what is rightfully his anyway, and God encourages his children to put him to the test on this. So, Tommy did that even though initially he was not sure how his family would be able to make ends meet. God’s promise of blessing was evident when they had a little extra money left over at the end of every month. If he were here today, he would challenge others to do the same.

Tommy’s battle with pancreatic cancer that started in October 2023 came to an end in the early morning hours of January 27, 2025.  His memorial service will be Friday, January 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street in Abilene.

Tommy is survived by his wife Brenda Blessing Ratliff, sons JP (Sharon - Audrey and Brooks) Ratliff, Matt (Kelly - Gage, Grant, Tice and Chaney) Ratliff, Joe Bob (Lindsay - Kroy and Quinn) Ratliff and brothers Gary (Billie Jo) Ratliff, Lary (Susie) Ratliff, stepbrothers Kenneth (Shirley) Phipps and Glen Dell (Sherrie) Phipps. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to St Joseph’s Hospice of Huntsville, City Church of Amarillo, or a church or charity of your choice.