85th Virtual Grand Chapter Meeting Issue

TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE

impacted the Air Force going forward. Additional assignments were Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS; Washburn Univer- sity Air Force R.O.T.C.; Langley AFB, Hampton, VA; the Pentagon and Berg- strom AFB, Austin, TX where he retired as a Colonel. After his military retire- ment, he worked for Southern Union Gas Company, Texas Health and Human Service Commission, KODAK/DANKA Services International and the City of Austin, TX. Noches published his memoirs in 2010, A Journey from 726 Walnut Street: To the Pentagon (Xlibris, Corp). Brother Ramon C. Noches is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Lucinda Wilson Todd and Alvin C. Todd. He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Nancy Noches; his daughters, Lucinda Noches Talbert; and Rose Noches; twin sister, Ramona Brice; three grandchildren, Angela Talbert, Taylor Wilmore, Ashley Wilmore; one great-grandchild, Jaden White; two nephews, one niece and a host of ex- tended family, fraternity brothers, former co-workers, and friends. Sgt. Maj. Byron Radcliffe (Ret.) 1941-2019 Indianapolis ROTC Leader

Deployment Forces (RDF) as a member of the 1/506th I.N.F. "Currahee" and the 3/502nd I.N.F. "Strike and Kill" bat- talions with the "Screaming Eagles." He was part a part of the Army Recruiting Command and culminated his military career with the Office of the Inspector General. He retired as a First Sergeant in 2002 from active duty and continued to serve as a member of the Indiana Guard Reserve. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and honor- ably discharged in 2007. After retiring from the Army, Rat- cliffe served as Army Inspector for the Junior Reserve Officer Training Course (J.R.O.T.C.). Ratcliffe taught social studies while coaching and training the Color Guard, Rifle, and Drill Teams, respectively at Indianapolis' Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School. He also taught Indianapolis area high schools: Arlington, Washington, and Howe. Ratcliffe exemplified the title of "Servant Leader." In honor of his dedicated and distinguished service to mankind, he was selected for the "Sagamore of the Wabash," the highest award presented to an Indiana citizen in February 2019. His military achieve- ments include five meritorious service medals, two Army Commendation Medals, ten Army Achievement medals, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, War on Terrorism Medal, Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal, Expert Infantryman's Badge (EIB), and Airborne and Air Assault badges. In 1993, Kentucky Governor Ber- trum Oren inducted Ratcliffe commis- sioned to the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels. He was named in 2012 as Military Person of the Year House District 95. He also won the N.A.A.C.P. Indiana State Conference Chairman of the Year in 2013 and 2015 and was awarded the Franklin Brecken- ridge Service Award.

He held life memberships in the following military and masonic organiza- tions: A.M.V.E.T.S., Louis V. Hider Post # 99 Department of Indiana, Disabled American Veterans; John H. Wells #52, Montfort Point Marine Association, Inc. Indianapolis #21; American Legion Post #249; Cyrus Chapter #1 of Holy Royal Arch Masons State of Indiana; United Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons Northern Jurisdic- tion; Swords of Bunker Hill; Sojourners Lodge #768; F.&A.M. Indianapolis, IN; Gethsemane Commandery #37 of Knights Templar Jurisdiction of Ohio; Free & Accepted Masons, Jurisdic- tions of Indiana, Kentucky, and South Carolina (Past District Deputy Grand Master, Past Grand Lodge Officer and Past Worshipful Master); Ancient Arabic Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Per- sian Temple #46 Desert of Indiana, Past Potentate Constantine Consistory #25. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , Brother Ratcliffe was also a Life Mem- ber of N.A.A.C.P., past F.O.S. Chair- man Tsu-Gu-Nie District Boy Scouts of America ® , Board Member of the Indiana Guide Right Foundation, Life Member and Board Member of the House of Diamonds Scholarship Program and member of Building America's Dreams (BAD). He was also a member of Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church Parish Council, Knights of Saint Peter Claver Saint Bridget Council. Brother Bryon D. Ratcliffe is pre- ceded in death by his fathers Milton Ratclifee and Lawrence Golden, mother Dorothy Morris, daughter Ariel Rat- cliffe and sister Lorraine (née Golden) Parrish. He is survived by wife and caregiver, Chrystal (née Elliott) Rat- cliffe; daughters Brooke Ratcliffe and Breona Ratcliffe (Justin) Washington; sons Byron Ratcliffe Jr., Brandon Rat- cliffe, and Graham Rush; grandchildren Aarien Forney, Ariana Ratcliffe, Brandon Ratcliffe, Bre'Asia Ratcliffe, Brooklyn Ratcliffe, Havana Washington, Kyearhia Love and a host of relatives, close friends and colleagues.

Bryon D. Ratcliffe (Alpha 1978) en- tered the Chapter Invisible on Sep- tember 8, 2019. Byron David Ratcliffe, Sr. was born to Milton and Dorothy Ratcliffe

on September 24, 1957. He graduated from Indianapolis's Shortridge High School in 1975. Ratcliffe earned a B.A. degree in criminal justice from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1982. Ratcliffe subsequently enlisted in the United States Army and served as a paratrooper in both the 110 th and 82 nd Airborne Divisions. He was deployed on several occasions with the Rapid

224 | SUMMER 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL

VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING

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