Michael Lewis Ratcliff went to his eternal rest with the Lord on November 11, 2021, at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas after battling a lengthy illness. He was born on November 14, 1957, in Wharton, Texas to Jimmy and Dominga Ratcliff and was the younger brother of James Ratcliff. Michael attended Holy Family Catholic School in Wharton before he and his family moved to Victoria, Texas in August of 1967. He then attended O’Connor Elementary, Patti Welder Intermediate and graduated from Stroman High School in 1976.
After graduation, Michael attended Victoria College before being hired as a dispatcher for the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office. He then earned his Texas Peace Officer’s License and was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff with the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office in 1980. Michael was assigned to Patrol, Investigations, and supervisory posts within that department, attaining the rank of Captain.
On January 6, 1991, Michael began training in the 164th Session of the FBI National Academy and graduated on March 22, 1991, from that program. He returned to the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office and in November of 1992, was elected to the Office of Victoria County Sheriff and held that office for three terms.
Michael retired from the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office in January of 2005 and briefly worked for the Victoria County District Attorney’s Office before health and legal issues began taking their toll. After a major medical episode in May 2009, Michael was eventually moved to a nursing and rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, Texas where he resided until his death.
Michael is survived by his brother James Ratcliff, James’ wife Elaine Morris Ratcliff, 2 nieces Brianne (Ratcliff) Kennedy wife of Russell Kennedy, and Brittany (Ratcliff) Brehm, wife of Michael Brehm Jr., a nephew, Bradley Ratcliff, engaged to Ali Killian, as well as 2 great nieces (Teagan Renee Kennedy and Reagan Leigh Brehm), and 3 great nephews, (Tyghe Jackson Kennedy, Tristan James Kennedy, and Michael Anthony Brehm III).
Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 from 4-7 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. The funeral service is scheduled for 10 AM Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. James Dement officiating. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
