Gary Warren Ratcliff, 71

Gary Warren Ratcliff, 71, passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 26, 2014.

Gary was born July 22, 1943, in Spokane, Wash., to Warren and Ethel Ratcliff. Upon graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1961, Gary enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was decorated as a sharpshooter. Gary then began a successful career with General Telephone (GTE) from which he retired.

In retirement, Gary was active in his local VFW where he took his father each Tuesday. He was a proud member of the NRA and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, wood working and watching just about any sport he could.

Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Donald; grandparents Les and Anna Ratcliff, and by his grandmother, Nola Stewart.

He is survived by his daughters Kelly Speers (Dean) and Kristin DiOrio (Carlie), both of Graham, Wash., parents Warren and Ethel Ratcliff; sister Janice Burris (Steve); six grandchildren: Ashley, T.J., Aaron, Caitlin, Cody and Grace; four great-granddaughters: Alena, Brianna, Amelia and Harper; as well as his niece, Debbie; and two nephews, Steven and Ron.

Gary was a loving and dedicated son, brother, father, grandfather and a loyal friend to many. "Anyone can be a Father, but it takes a special man to be a Dad." We miss him deeply and his memory will forever be in our hearts.

The funeral service for Gary will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at English Funeral Home, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene; reception to follow. Please visit Gary's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity that is close to your heart.