Master Sgt. James Anthony Ratchford, USAF, Ret., 76, of California, formerly of Gaffney, passed away September 12, in Arroyo Grande, California.

He was born in Gaffney and was a son of the late M.B. Ratchford, Sr. and Alice Coleman Ratchford.

James was a graduate of Granard High School, a former member of Bethel Baptist Church, and a retired Master Sgt. in the United States Air Force.

Surviving are: 3 sons, Terence, Shawn, and James A. Ratchford, Jr., of California; daughter, Octavia Despres (Michael) of CA; brother, Rev. Franklin B. Ratchford (Audrey) of Columbia; a sister, Gloria Orr, of Stamford, CT.

A visitation service will be held Tuesday, September 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel. Interment will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 10 a.m., in M.J. Dolly Cooper Veteran's Cemetery in Anderson.

The Gilmore Mortuary www.gilmoresmortuary.com