Dr. Melvin Ratheal

Dr. C. Melvin Ratheal Dr. C. Melvin Ratheal, a retired Baptist minister who was the founding pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sun City West, died at 11:55 p.m. on July 12 from respiratory complications. Dr. Ratheal suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and was under the care of Hospice of the Valley. His wife, Wandene Nordyke Ratheal, of the home, his two sons, Dale Ratheal, of Phoenix and Ray Ratheal, of Johnson City, TN, his sister Winnell, of Crosby County, TX, five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, survive him. His first wife, Doris Huddleston Ratheal, preceded him in death in February 2001. Born in Crosby County Texas on June 7, 1920, Dr. Ratheal attended Texas Tech and Howard Payne colleges and received his Doctorate of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. A man of honor, integrity, and great faith, Dr. Ratheal believed strongly in church building and in Christian education, founding and supporting many missions and small churches, and leading laymen’s preaching campaigns in various western states and in Japan in the 60s and 70s. During his long career, Dr. Ratheal served for ten years at Trinity Baptist Church, Lubbock, TX, and three years at First Baptist Church Coolidge, AZ. He served as Director of Missions in Tucson for many years, and he was director of the Baptist Village retirement center in Youngtown, AZ, before pastoring the Sun City West church from 1980 to 1986. Dr. Ratheal was an avid Mason in the York and Scottish Rite lodges and the Shrine, as well as the High Twelve organization. He was High Twelvian of the Year in Arizona and internationally, and was named Chaplain Emeritus. He was a member of several lodges, past master of the Sun City Lodge, and served at all levels of masonry. He earned numerous awards and honors including membership in the Red Cross of Constantine, Regius York Rite College, and Saguaro Chapter, Allied Masonic Bodies. Memorial services are set for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, at First Baptist Church, Sun City West. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to food banks and charitable organizations including First Baptist Church, Sun City West, and Sun City Interfaith Services.