It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father Leonard Ray Ratliff, surrounded by family and friends, passed away peacefully on April 8th, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the very young age of 56.

He was born in Springhill, Louisiana on January 2, 1969, to Carolyn Evans & Leonard Ratliff and was a proud resident of Mooringsport, LA for the last 21 years. In 1989, just as he was starting his career in the Oilfield Industry, he met Susan, and she quickly became the love of his life. In 2001, after having already spent years together, they finally decided to tie the knot, for they knew they had a bond that would never be broken. Over the next 36 years they raised eight children together with many ups and downs but still felt fortunate that so many memories had been made. As a man of unwavering kindness and laughter, dad lived a life filled with passion for family. The bigger the gatherings, the more he loved it. He lived for the days when all his kids would be together in one spot. You could always hear the joy in his laughter as he would sit back and watch his kids playing volleyball in the front yard or just running around acting silly. In later years and after all the kids were grown, when you couldn't find him at home, you could bet he was either out fishing in his favorite spot, all the while always trying to find a new favorite spot somewhere or hanging out at Cash Magic Casino where he would just talk to everyone that would listen.

As a father, he was my rock and my best friend and that never wavered. No matter what kind of crazy life choices I made, he was always there to support and encourage me. I will always cherish the life lessons and wonderful memories that we made throughout the years together. I truly believe I am the person that I am today because of him. Dad leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter that will forever be etched in our hearts.

Leonard is preceded in death by his father Leonard Ratliff Sr. and Stepfather Gilbert Moore. Sisters Emma Lou, Robin Johnson, and Kathy Grey. Uncles Elmer Evans, Edward, Robert, and Howard & Glennie Ratliff.

He is survived by his mother Carolyn Moore, soul mate of 36 years Susan Ratliff, Children Brandi Randall, BJ and Nikki Randall, Ashley and Billy Gilbert, Rayla and Jeremy Clark, Ray and Savannah Ratliff, Lura Ratliff and Caleb King, Chelsea Johnson, and Devin Ratliff. Siblings Garland, Carolyn, Wanda Jane, Malcom, and Zack Grey. Aunts Nancy, TJ, Trudy, and Mary, Uncles Ruben, Joe, and Bill Ratliff. Along with his greatest treasures in life,30 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Trinity Worship Center in Springhill, Louisiana.

We would like to thank everyone for the generous amount of love and support that has been shown by so many over these last few months. We would also like to give special thanks to all of those at Passages Hospice Care in Minden, who made his transition easier for everyone. We really do not know what we would have done without everyone's support. Dad would be in awe of all the love that is being shown toward us during this difficult time.

"Say not in grief 'he is no more' but in thankfulness that he was." "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.  The heart of a Father is the true masterpiece of nature."