Jere B. Ratcliffe

Jere B. Ratcliffe, former Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, passed away, after a brief illness, on August 21, 2015, at the age of 78. He was born on July 4, 1937, in Johnson City, TN, the son of John and Ernestine Ratcliffe. Jere received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH. He also received an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Clemson University in 1996 and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Wittenberg University in 1998. Jere moved to Jacksonville with his family in 1946 and, at age 8, joined the Cub Scouts at Murray Hill United Methodist Church. For a short time, the family lived at the Casa Marina Hotel in a three room apartment. He attended Ruth N. Upson Elementary School, John Gorrie Junior High and Landon Junior High. Due to his father’s work-related moves, he spent his high school freshman year in Knoxville, TN; his sophomore year in Louisville, KY; and his junior and senior years in Springfield, OH, where he met Judy Jones, his future wife. Jere became the top professional leader of the Boy Scouts of America in February, 1993. As Chief Scout Executive, Jere directed the administration of the organization that included, at the time, more than 8,000 employees, 1.2 million adult volunteer leaders and more than 5 million youth across the nation. He retired in June, 2000. Jere was always active in Scouting. A Distinguished Eagle Scout, he held the adult volunteer positions of council executive board member, wood badge instructor, assistant post advisor and district chairman. His professional career included service as District Executive in Greenville and Columbia, SC, and as Scout Executive in West Palm Beach, FL; Clarksdale, MS; Birmingham, AL, and Kansas City, MO. He held the National Council positions of Director, Finance Support Division, and Regional Director, East Central and Central Regions. He received the Exploring’s Silver Award, the Scouter’s Award, the God and Life Award and the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award. In 1995, he received the Livy of Honor in Trefoil, Golden Degree, for “help in developing a strong Scout movement in Czechoslovakia.” He also received the Bronze Wolf Award, the only award of the World Organization of the Scout Movement; the Japanese Scout Association’s Silver Hawk; Canada’s Silver Fox Award, and Guatemalan El Quetzal de Oro. He served as a member of the Coordinating Committee of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement and the World Scout Foundation. From 1993-2000, he served as Director, United States Foundation for International Scouting. Jere maintained an active role in business, church, social, civic and fraternal organizations and served as an Elder and Trustee at Riverside Presbyterian Church; a member of the organizing committee of National Philanthropy Day, and an advisor for Alpha Phi Omega. He also served as South Carolina congressional district administrative assistant to the late U.S. Representative Floyd D. Spence. He was an executive board member of American Humanics, Inc., and, in June, 2000, received the Exemplar of Humanics for distinguished service to American Humanics and nonprofit sector. He served on the advisory board of Character Education Partnership from 1993-2000; on the jury panel for Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge in 1995, and on the advisory board of National Space Day. Jere was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and Rotary Club of Jacksonville, FL, a Founder member of Timuquana Country Club and on the national board of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE). After his retirement in 2000, he and Judy were able to travel at their leisure, and, with wonderful friends, circumnavigated the world two times. Jere loved the Appalachian Mountains and his log cabin, “Fir Peace”, in Jonas Ridge, NC. Jere also loved fishing and never forgot fishing for peacock bass at Lake Guru near Caracas, Venezuela. He was a devoted golfer, having played many of the world’s top courses, including two rounds at Augusta National. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy; son, Brian; daughter, Susan (Richard) Kaynor; grandsons, Samuel and Matthew; sister-in-law Jackie (Andy) Bettick, and nephews Tom Bettick and Vong Doan. A graveside service, with the Reverend Dr. Dwight Bayley officiating, will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, in Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. A Memorial Service will follow at 11 a.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32204, with the Reverend Dr. Stephen Goyer officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Florida Council of the Boys Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.