James Ratts

James Ratts, 88, Jamestown, ND, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND.
James Fernando Ratts was born April 26, 1918 at Bicknel, IN, the son of Fernando Festus and Della Dean (Murray) Ratts. When he was 1 year old, he moved with his parents to a farm in Ellendale, ND, and later to a farm near Edgeley, ND. He began school at the Glenmore Country School. In 1925, his family moved to Montpelier, ND where he continued his education. He farmed with his father for a short time and then worked in the CCC from 1935 to 1939 in North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa. In May of 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Corps. While stationed in Oklahoma City, OK, he married Arlene Hale on September 11, 1942. He served during World War II in the North African and European theatres and later in the Pacific and Okinawa. He was discharged in November of 1945 and returned to Montpelier, ND where he farmed on the family farm. In 1969, they moved to Jamestown, ND and he began working as an independent carpenter remodeling homes. He also worked at Great Plains Lumber. He retired in 1980.
Survivors include 2 sons: Kenneth (Terry) Ratts, Bismarck, ND, Doug Ratts, Jamestown, ND; 2 grandchildren: Tania (Blake) Skinner, Pembina, ND; Ryan Ratts, Norfolk, VA; 1 great-grandchild, Brody, Hadlet, NJ; a brother, Harold Ratts, Jamestown, ND and 1 sisters: Patricia (Don) Hess, West Fargo, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a daughter, Sharron; 2 brothers: John and Herbert and 4 sisters: Martha, Mary Helen, Dorothy and Louise.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2007 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND
Visitation - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2007 and 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2007 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND
Interment - Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, ND