John W. Ratai, Jr.
John W. Ratai, Jr., was born in the small Pennsylvania town of Connellesville, on September 23, 1936, to Mary and John Ratai, Sr. John’s passion was playing football, and at the age of 18 he came to Muskogee, Oklahoma to attend Bacone College where he was able to do just that. Here he met his love, Judy, on a blind date. They were married in 1956, and soon after moved to Oklahoma City, where they have lived for over 60 years.
John had a servant’s heart and loved serving Jesus through various ministries. Prison ministry had a special place in his heart, because he loved teaching God’s word to men who thought they had no way out, and always let them know how much Jesus loved them. He even helped several of the men out by giving them jobs. John never hesitated to help someone in need, no matter who it was, or what they needed. But, one of John’s biggest ministries was to his 3 daughters who, because of his example and his prayers, all grew up to love Jesus.
John’s work in finance led him to become a commercial real estate broker and property manager. During this journey, he was able to purchase an apartment complex that held a special place in his heart, where he and Judy lived and worked for several years.
John RAN into the arms of Jesus on December 27, 2020, and is preceded in death by his father and mother, his brother Joseph Ratai, and his Aunt Mary Griffner.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judy, 3 daughters (Lisa Mansell and husband Larry, Cari Douglas and husband Todd, and Julie Davis and husband Trey), 11 grandkids, (Larry, Jr. and wife Deanna, Joshua and wife Danielle, Nicole, Jamie, Carisa and husband Jerry, Cassie and husband Jake, Kelsey and husband Jason, Eryn, Ethan and wife Joanna, Elisha and wife Torie, and Esiah), 18 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters (Beatrice Lepre of Wilmington, DE, Nancy Wade and husband Larry, Mary Talone and husband Salvatore, and sister-in-law Diane Ratai all of Connellesville, PA., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
John W. Ratai, Jr., was born in the small Pennsylvania town of Connellesville, on September 23, 1936, to Mary and John Ratai, Sr. John’s passion was playing football, and at the age of 18 he came to Muskogee, Oklahoma to attend Bacone College where he was able to do just that. Here he met his love, Judy, on a blind date. They were married in 1956, and soon after moved to Oklahoma City, where they have lived for over 60 years.
John had a servant’s heart and loved serving Jesus through various ministries. Prison ministry had a special place in his heart, because he loved teaching God’s word to men who thought they had no way out, and always let them know how much Jesus loved them. He even helped several of the men out by giving them jobs. John never hesitated to help someone in need, no matter who it was, or what they needed. But, one of John’s biggest ministries was to his 3 daughters who, because of his example and his prayers, all grew up to love Jesus.
John’s work in finance led him to become a commercial real estate broker and property manager. During this journey, he was able to purchase an apartment complex that held a special place in his heart, where he and Judy lived and worked for several years.
John RAN into the arms of Jesus on December 27, 2020, and is preceded in death by his father and mother, his brother Joseph Ratai, and his Aunt Mary Griffner.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judy, 3 daughters (Lisa Mansell and husband Larry, Cari Douglas and husband Todd, and Julie Davis and husband Trey), 11 grandkids, (Larry, Jr. and wife Deanna, Joshua and wife Danielle, Nicole, Jamie, Carisa and husband Jerry, Cassie and husband Jake, Kelsey and husband Jason, Eryn, Ethan and wife Joanna, Elisha and wife Torie, and Esiah), 18 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters (Beatrice Lepre of Wilmington, DE, Nancy Wade and husband Larry, Mary Talone and husband Salvatore, and sister-in-law Diane Ratai all of Connellesville, PA., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
