Lee Roger Ratliff was born May 10, 1939, to Norma Craig Ratliff and Lee Jackson Ratliff, in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Silsbee High School in 1957, Texas A&M University in 1961, and attended University of Texas Law School, graduating in 1964. Roger was a proud member of the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M University and served in the Army Judge Advocate General Corp during the Vietnam Era. He later returned to Silsbee and established his Law Practice.
Roger was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is known as a man of integrity and worthy advocate. He always had a story and provided comic relief anywhere he went. Rogers many interests were pursued with passion and had a lasting impact on the community. He was a founding member of the Silsbee Little Theatre where he acted, directed, and provided technical support. He served on the board of, and was actively involved in, the Ice House Museum. Roger and other members of the community met and reflected for daily morning coffee at McDonald’s and became known, community wide, as “the morning coffee club”.
Roger had a passion for photography. He felt he could tell the story through pictures, finding the true emotion of his subjects. He loved the outdoors and found a peace photographing the many wonders of nature, capturing in time the artistry of God’s creation.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares drop off like autumn leaves.” ~ John Muir.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Ratliff; daughters, Becky Rounds and her husband, Jason, of Texarkana and Rennie Fontaine and her husband, Jason, of Silsbee; grandchildren, Gregory Lundvick and William Fontaine, both of Silsbee and Janie Rounds and Cate Rounds, both of Texarkana; and brother, Richard Lynn Ratliff and his wife, Virginia, of Utah. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 17, 2016, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 18, 2016, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Hardin Memorial Park, Silsbee. A gathering of Mr. Ratliff’s close family and friends will follow at 2:00 p.m., at The Ice House Museum, Silsbee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ice House Museum, 818 Earnest Avenue, Silsbee, Texas 77656.
