John Carl "Johnny" Ratcliff Walker

(Since we couldn’t find an obituary for Johnny Walker, we set about doing some research into his history.  The following is somewhat of a timeline of what we could find in online, state, and local records.)

John Carl “Johnny” Ratcliff was born 27 May, 1947 in Orange, Texas, to parents John Logan Ratcliff, Jr., and Ruth Elizabeth (Glidden) Ratcliff.  The family lived in the Galveston area where his father was a mechanist in the shipbuilding industry, and Johnny Ratcliff attended Angleton High School through his sophomore year.  In 1955 his mother married (2) James Woodrow "Woody" Walker, and they changed Johnny's last name to Walker. 

He and his mother moved to Las Vegas, NV where Johnny Walker attended Las Vegas High School his Junior and Senior years,  graduating in 1965.    His mother married (3) John Bufford Nehls in 1975, but divorced soon thereafter.

We haven’t yet found records of Johnny Walker's military service in Viet Nam, but he was awarded the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal for his service.

Johnny moved back to Texas after his military service, this time to the Dallas area.  He married Vicki Denise Prater in 1969; they had one child – John Christopher Walker – and were divorced in 1976.  He lived in the Dallas and Denton areas, where he also had a ranch called the Walkin’-J-Ranch, that was still operational in 2017.  At that time, he was taking care of his dear mother, Ruth, who had dementia. 

We last heard from Johnny in September 2017 through phone conversations and on our high school website, when he signed in and left a few messages.  At that time there was no mention of a life-threatening condition.

Johnny passed away in a Denton Hospital a month later, on 19 Oct 2017.   The cause of his death is unknown.  Unfortunately, he passed away leaving his mother still alive without him, but being well-cared for in a Memory Care facility.  She passed away on 29 Jul 2018, surrounded by her caregivers and friends. 

Johnny was laid to rest as an American Hero in the Dallas - Fort Worth National Cemetery on 29 Nov 2017.  The entry on his FindAGrave online memorial follows: 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185614929/john-carl-walker

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The following was posted locally in Denton, TX by the North Texas Patriot Guard Riders, a 100% volunteer, federally registered 501 (C)-3) non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services.  They area motorcycle group which invites all other groups who would like to join.

SP6 John (Last Name Withheld)

United States Army - Vietnam Veteran

NO KNOWN FAMILY - WED 11/29/2017 - 0845

An American Hero is being laid to rest at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 0900 tomorrow morning, 29 November 2017 .

Please come help us as we honor him at his committal service. SP5 John (last name protected) served our nation honorably and faithfully.

He is a decorated Vietnam veteran, awarded the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Please be in Lane 3 not later than 0845 as we ride behind SP5 John and serve as his family.

May God rest his soul.

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This is the soldier who was laid to rest that was broadcast on the local television news. He passed away in a Denton hospital and the kind personnel there were concerned he wouldn't have anyone to be at his funeral. He had a huge turnout for his service. His mother, who has dementia, was there along with her caretakers and friends.