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Bobby Ratliff
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Obituary for Bobby Rex Ratliff

Bobby Rex  Ratliff
Bobby Rex Ratliff, 65, of Starkville, Miss., passed away on July 3, 2016 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.
Born on July 22, 1950 in Oxford, Miss., to Paula Mae (Sledge) Ratliff and William Rex Ratliff, Bob graduated from Thaxton High School in 1968.
He earned his bachelor of arts in education from the University of Mississippi in 1972. He then earned a bachelor’s in print and broadcast communications in 1975 and a Masters in Social Studies in 1978 from Mississippi State University.
He served as vice president and farm director at the Progressive Farmer Radio Network during the 1980s and he returned to MSU in 1994. He enjoyed his various roles with MSU as the science writer for University Relations, editor for MAFES Research Highlights Magazine, editor of Mississippi Landmarks magazine and interim department head for the Agricultural Communications department.
While he received many accolades during his career, he especially enjoyed his trips to Russia and Hungary with former USDA Secretary John Block. He was also honored as NAFB (National Association of Farm Broadcasters) Farm Broadcaster of the year in 1987. Most recently he received the 2015 ACE (Association for Communication Excellence) Award of Excellence for Writing.
His latest position was marketing and communications coordinator for the Extension Center for Government and Community Development.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Linda Cook, on December 19, 1969. Bob and Linda enjoyed 46 years of marriage, filled with a love of family, travel and togetherness.
Bob was always on the side of the working man and the underdog. He saw beauty and usefulness where others did not, from stray dogs to abandoned pieces of furniture.
Bob was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Association for Communication Excellence.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Cook Ratliff of Starkville; son, Christopher Ratliff of Memphis; daughter, Heather Denison (David) of Ocean Springs; Brother, Ben Ratliff (Margaret) of Toccopola; Beloved mother-in-law, Frances Cook of Thaxton; three grandchildren, Carter, Cole and Julia Denison and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, and brother, Bill Ratliff.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 607 Hospital Road, Starkville, Miss., with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, P.O. Box 297, Starkville, MS 39760, www.ochsms.org or your favorite charity. Or do as Bob would do, and bring home a stray/shelter dog today.

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