On June 2, 1962, he married Linda Love, his girlfriend since the 7th grade! They were married in Ponca City, and have been happily married for 63 years. They lived in Red Rock most of their married lives where they farmed and ranched and in 2007, they moved to Sulphur.

Mickey was involved in several organizations with the church, rural fire department and youth being his priorities. He served as a Deacon and was a member of First Baptist Church, Red Rock and currently at Crossway Church in Sulphur.

Some of the organizations that he dedicated his time to included: Member of the Noble County Fair Board, Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department as Fire Chief, Chairman of the Noble County OSUAlumni Association as well as being active in the Lion’s Club and with the 4-H/FFA Booster Club. As a Hereford Breeder, he was an active member of the American Hereford Association, Oklahoma Hereford Association and Northern Oklahoma Hereford Breeder’s Association.

During his years of volunteering, he was awarded the 1988 Degree of Honorary State Farmer, 1999 Honorary Chapter Farmer by the Red Rock FFA, 2003 Noble County Livestock Show Honoree, and 2009 Honorary Member of the Perry Livestock Booster Club.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Linda of the home, daughter, Kim Little, Coleman, TX; and son, Michael Jay “Mike” Ratliff, Red Rock; grandchildren, Braden (Mariana) Little, Waco, TX, Bali Little, Sulphur, Jayke (Kaitlyn) Ratliff, Stillwater, and Jaysen Ratliff, Hinton; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Jackson Ratliff, Stillwater. Also surviving are his sister, Nancy (Edward) Roberson, Red Rock, and Ann (Jim) Buntt, Marland, as well as his sister-in-law, Nona (Bill) Shahan; and brothers-in-law, Billy Joe Love, Knoxville, TN and Carl (Becky) Love, Spring Hill, TN.

Mickey is joined in heaven by his parents, J.C. and Jessie Lee Ratliff. As a liver transplant recipient on May 5, 2009, he was given a 2nd chance at life. The family encourages everyone to become organ donors. Thanks to all the Doctors, Specialist and medical teams that have given compassionate care through the years as well as the staff of the Artesian Home where he spent his final days.

Please consider donating in Mickey’s memory to BULLET’s Fund (to provide support for operating expenses for Bullet) c/o Oklahoma State University Foundation, 400 S. Monroe, Stillwater, OK 74074 Fund #23-84610. Or consider giving to the charity of your choice.

A graveside service was held on October 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the cemetery in Red Rock, OK.

Bill Leveridge, Lead Pastor, Crossway Church, Sulphur conducted the graveside service with music by Melanie Williams and Martin Williams. Services were entrusted to DeArman Funeral Home, Sulphur.

Honorary pall bearers were James Flasch, Larry Garvie, John Hayes, Butch Hill, Larry Hobbs and Coach Bill Shahan.

God welcomed a Cowboy, and a Cowboy gained his wings.