Brandon Lance Ratliff
Brandon Lance Ratliff, 38 years of age, passed away suddenly on June 19, 2021 at his home in Iowa Park. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Lakeview Church in Iowa Park. Graveside services will follow at 2 PM at the Montague Cemetery in Montague, Texas. Services are under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home.
Brandon was born on November 24, 1982 in Bowie, Texas to parents Daniel and Patricia. Brandon is survived by Brittany and their children Makiya and Maddux. He is also survived by his father Daniel Ratliff and step-mother Teresa, mother Patricia LaPointe and step-father Ron. Brandon was the middle sibling with an older brother, Kevin Ratliff and wife Dusti, and younger sister Josie West and husband RC. Brandon is the proud uncle to nieces Makynzie and Kashlyn Ratliff and nephews Hagen West and Easton Ratliff. He is also survived by Uncle Michael Reed and his wife Christi as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Brandon grew up in North Texas going to school in Callisburg and in Nocona. Brandon was a lover of all sports having grown up playing football, basketball and his passion which is baseball. Brandon’s junior year in High School he attended Nocona First Assembly of God Youth Group where he gave his heart to God under Youth Pastor Brandon Williams. From that point on Brandon’s life took a drastic change, one that would ultimately change his future. He was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a founding member of a Youth Alive Bible Study at Nocona High School. It was common to see Brandon carrying his Bible through the halls of school and found reading it during his downtime. His transformation was one that was not only seen by peers but also caught the attention of all school staff.
After High School Brandon joined 3 other classmates in attending Master’s Commission in Wichita Falls under the direction of Jarrod Brooks. This was a 9 month discipleship program and ministry school that took Brandon’s walk with God to a whole new level. Brandon had a passion for God that was contagious. It was evident that God had a call on Brandon’s life by the lives that were drawn to him. Brandon spread the gospel of Jesus in School Assemblies, Mission Trips to 3rd World Countries, Street Ministry to homeless and drug abusers, Church services, Retreats, Youth Camps and more.
While in MC, Brandon was surrounded by friends who shared the same passion for God, one of those friends was Brittany Taylor. Brandon and Brittany started Master’s together in the fall of 2002 where they worked together, prayed together, served together, fasted together, ministered together and so much more. On October 1, 2005 Brandon took Brittany as his wife. God then began to plant bigger dreams and desires in their lives. Together Brandon and Brittany served 4 years on the Leadership team for MC. They also started a home for women, relocated to Houston for ministry and witnessed thousands turn their lives to God.
A few years later Brandon and Brittany returned to Iowa Park where they eventually expanded their family. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter Makiya Brooke Ratliff and a spunky son Maddux Braedan Ratliff. Makiya and Maddux were the light of Brandon’s life and that was evident to all who knew him. He quickly became their super fan, proudly cheering them on in everything they did. He celebrated their victories and encouraged them through their losses. He lived the example of no matter how many times you get knocked down you must fight to get back up. His love for his family not only brought him joy but they were his ultimate motivation for daily strength.
Brandon never claimed to be perfect and never hid the fact that he had struggles. Just like the rest of us, he had his fair share of ups and downs. The thing that set him apart from the rest was that he always knew who to turn to. Brandon knew God loved him, gave His Son for him and that God was the answer. Even on Brandon’s darkest of days he would still tell people about Jesus never wanting anyone to miss out on a relationship with God. Brandon is a perfect example of God’s unconditional, unwavering love for his children. He found peace with his relationship with Jesus and in the undeniable love he had for his Granny who he spent a large part of his childhood with.
Brandon was a devoted son, loving brother, faithful husband, dedicated father and loyal friend. He was humble in his walk with God, fearless in his desire to share the gospel and relentless in his fight of life. Brandon was proceeded in death by his grandparents, Wayne Ratliff, Naomi Christin and Buddy and Alice Reed.
Memorials are suggested to be made to the Hope Center at https://www.hopecem.com/locations/Wichita-Falls; or to the Oklahoma Freedom Fastpitch at https://www.facebook.com/pg/okfreedomfpPayPal.Me/okfreedomfp.
