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John Ratliff Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Ratliff
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Erin Daily
May 27, 2025
Good morning John, I've been thinking about you recently and I recalled this page that your mother keeps active and so I thought I would send you a little message. I have been wondering why you were chosen to leave this earth so early and I got to continue on. You were always such a good person deep down and you always prioritized our friendship. I know we had lost touch but kind of like the movie Stand by Me, do you ever really have better friends than the ones you had when you were a kid? I remember all the kooky things we did with such fondness, we really had fun didn't we? I like to think you are somewhere and you met my Mom there and you told her that I was a good person too with a big heart. I wished we had gotten to be old in the same world just so we could share stories of where life had taken each of us, the loves we had and the adventures we had gone on. Wherever you are I'm sure that you are smiling and making those around you laugh.
Jeni Rooney
July 15, 2024
Hello love, This July is passing once again with you alive and well in my heart, in my prayers. I'm tending to your final resting place with a bit more calm, reflection, memories that bring ear-to-ear smiles, and tears of mourning the loss of my beautiful son. Regret that I couldn't find a way to bring you home before that fateful day. Prayers that our Creator has graced your soul with eternal peace and love.
My worry is that there will be no one to honor you when my time to ascend arrives. Who will tend to your grave, bring and water your Spring flowers, refresh your bench, and kiss the ground where you lay? A mother's love reaches beyond life here on Earth. I will always be your mother, always love you, always miss you, always hold you close in my heart. Mom
Jeni Rooney
July 13, 2022
Hello Love,
Today is another beautiful, sunny day in Ohio. I pray you have sunny days where you are now, happy days, and painless days. You are dearly missed not just by me but by Dennis as well. We call each other from time to time and you always are a highlight during our call. His life remains challenging but he rises above whenever he speaks of you. He feels like a true friend who misses his best friend everyday.
I love being your mother. No matter where we each may be, we are together in spirit. Love, Mom
Jeni Rooney
February 12, 2022
Good morning sweet Angel,
Today began early as February 12th has begun early since 1973. Amazingly, today I awoke with a sense of calm, a sense of comfort. Who can know the path grief walks until we walk that path ourselves. Today my tears moisten my cheeks then my lips as I smile with warm memories. Somehow I am filled with humility knowing that we had time together, that we loved each other, and that my love for you fills my heart to this day. Happy Birthday my angel, Happy Birthday.
Love always, Mom
Jeni Rooney
February 12, 2021
Awoke this morning with memories of how our life together began. All the milestones along the way only to be stripped from you, overshadowed by painful events. You are my special Angel, my precious John Ray. My prayer remains strong that your energy fills our universe, you are thriving, and all traces of your worldly pain no longer haunt your sweet soul. Always in my heart, my thoughts, my very being . . . Love, Mom
Jeni Rooney
July 5, 2020
If I could find new words, I would. June 17 has passed, July 10th is just days away. I still cannot bring myself to put a headstone or marker where you lay. It's too scary for some reason, too real, too final, too painful. My prayer is that your energy is fueling our universe, you are thriving, and all traces of your worldly existence no longer haunt your sweet soul. May you know peace, joy, and love eternally. May you always fly with the angels, by God's grace. Missing you with all my being, Mom
Jeni Rooney
May 9, 2020
Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I loved knowing that you would call no matter where you might have been. A part of me will expect your call again tomorrow while another part knows that will never be.
You are my Angel. Tomorrow will be rich with memories, laughter, tears, pictures, keepsakes, and an emptiness woven throughout that will leave me somewhere beyond numb. May all mothers who love an Angel child be surrounded by kindness tomorrow, may their day be rich with memories, laughter, tears, pictures, keepsakes, and warm embraces to shield them against the emptiness that will leave each somewhere beyond numb.
Ever my son, ever your mother . . . I love you. Mom
Jeni Rooney
February 12, 2020
Hello Sweetheart,
Today might have been your 47th birthday anniversary. I can't say today "should have been" as we are each called home when it is time; this I must believe. Otherwise, surely anger would define my life. Knowing you inspires me to not be angry, loving you inspires me to love, my memories bring tears, smiles, and an ache so deep that my breath stops. I miss you, yet you are with me. I love you, love being your mother, and love that you are my son. Mom
December 24, 2019
Merry Christmas Sweetheart,
You are always with me, I will always be your mother and you will always be my son, the pioneer tree still stands.
Love always, Mom
Jeni Rooney
July 13, 2019
My heart cannot speak the words, my tears cannot share a smile, I miss you in my dreams. You are with my every day, every minute. You life doesn't flash before me; rather, the days and memories linger. From the beginning seeing you in Preemie ICU, your entire arm smaller than my forefinger, peach fuzz all over your tiny body, the tubes, the bruises from the umbilical cord strangling your neck, and my overwhelming fear. And so we began . . . you will always be my beautiful, precious boy. I am your mom, you are my love in life and beyond. Mom
Jeni Rooney
June 17, 2018
Just wanted to share this anniversary, the day you were called home, the day that you were promoted to Angel. I often wonder how you are now, imagine amazing experiences for you, pray you are valued beyond measure and exist in a spiritual realm rich with kindness, understanding, where ill will cannot survive, evil cannot hurt you or betray your trust, or violate your body. By God's grace, let His love surround you, keep you safe, and sustain you.
Let your spirit shine, sweetheart. Let your beautiful spirit shine. Love, Mom
February 12, 2018
Happy Birthday, sweetheart! The sun is shining here at home, piercing blue skies with clouds so white I am squinting. They seem almost too white, too bright for February.
I wish you could have stayed longer, I wish you could have come home more often, I wish I could find your last voicemail. So many wishes on your birthday that will never come true. So many wishes from Mom who loves and misses you
no matter what.
Love, Mom
June 25, 2017
My John Ray,
Over the moon, beyond the stars
Where angels play, where dreams are born,
Where broken hearts heal, and
Hurt is no more.
May your spirit soar by God's grace
Over the moon, beyond the stars
Where angels play, where dreams are born,
Where broken hearts heal, and
Hurt is no more.
Love always, Mom
Jeni Rooney
May 14, 2017
Good morning, Sweetheart!
Such a beautiful morning here at home. The blue skies, clouds, green grass, and Cavaliers running around the courtyard all bring smiles and memories of you with Blue. Every thing sparks a memory, a feeling, an image of you. How amazing to have been your Earth Mom, how amazing to always be your Earth Mom. I plan to stop by to refresh our memorial bench. A memorial is how I have come to feel about your "grave". How can the place where we lay our body be a grave when our spirit, the very essence of being, lives on?
Love beyond the moon, beyond the stars will be yours always,
Mom
Erin Daily
February 20, 2017
John, I just learned of your passing this evening from your brother and I'm devastated. We met in 7th grade and we were friends into adulthood- although we hadn't spoke in some time I'm feeling this loss incredibly hard. I was looking to reconnect with you, and in some odd way I suppose we still are. You knew me when I was Aarron, I wanted to share with you the complete me since I transitioned. I knew that of everyone I knew you would accept me exactly how I am, you were always so warm and loving. The stories we had, the fun times, even the death of my Mom-you were a constant friend who never let me feel alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being my friend-I'll never forget you my friend. I'm fighting through tears while remembering you my dear friend. Peace always.
February 12, 2017
Good morning, sweetheart! All the morning tasks are done that can be done. Caty Blaze and I will be coming up to see you shortly. Can hardly wait to see if your flowers made it through the winter! Hopefully each will bloom this Spring.
You are always with me, always in my thoughts and sometimes in my conversations! Only last week, Becky spoke of you and wished us well. You made a difference during your short life. You still make a difference even today.
Let Blue know he is in my thoughts too. I trust you are together though he may have entered Heaven over Rainbow Bridge.
You are loved, sweet son; you are loved always. Mom
June 17, 2016
The puppers are fed, water bowls refreshed, coffee brewed, news is everywhere about lives lost from Orlando to Yorkshire, parents mourning, friends and community devastated. May our Lord bless them, stand by them as they search for comfort that may not come, as they discover their life really does go on and there will be no reason, no answer for losing their child. Help them pray for acceptance, forgiveness. Amen
Everything here is calm, the puppers are napping, Kellen just awoke, hugged me 'good morning' while whispering, "I'm up, Grandma!" There is a lot of you in this young man.
Getting out of my jammies and heading out to visit you. So happy your flowers are doing beautifully this year. Very pretty.
Love bridges all worlds and you are loved, Mom
May 8, 2016
My John Ray,
Today is the anniversary of my bringing you home from the hospital, everyone hugging me, telling me everything will be fine, not to stress, not to worry. All this while holding your tiny 4 lb self in my arms wondering how will I ever know what to do? What if something happens and I can't get help? By Grace and with love we made it through together.
I love being your mother, I miss you so much that sometimes I can't breath. Sometimes there is just trembling, tears. Love bridges all worlds and you are with me though I miss the smell of your hair, your voice, your smile, our conversations. I'm happy that you traveled, made new friends, found Blue. I just thought you would be here longer, I thought you would come home to settle down. I never thought of myself as your Earth mother but now realize it is true.
May our Lord have mercy on us all and hold you close wrapped in His eternal love.
Happy Mother's Day to me from you, my Angel. I love you.
Mom
February 12, 2016
Happy Birthday, sweetheart! You are with me in every smile, laugh, or sigh. You are with me in everyday life, in every memory of what has been, and in every dream of what might yet be. You are with me.
Love bridges all worlds, all universes. You are loved.
Goodnight my precious angel,
Mom
June 17, 2015
Dear John Ray,
Good morning, sweetheart. It's early, the pups are walked and waiting for their breakfast. Caty Blaze has an appointment this morning, two more little Ruby Cavaliers are coming into rescue, have my visit planned, and then I head out to meet their foster in Cincinnati. So goes most days, filled with tasks and busy work. It's rainy, muggy, and mushrooms are everywhere in the gardens, in the yard. The rain is a blessing this week because I am planting for you today. For some reason, the cemetery caretakers removed your French lilac bushes. No one could explain why, just a general sweep of anything that wasn't a tree I guess.
Here's a fun fact: June 17 is Copper Poseidon's birthday! So today, I will take Caty Blaze to her vet, bake Birthday Biscuits, visit you and Blue, help give two little Cavaliers a new future, plant new life at your grave, clean your bench, kiss the grass that covers you so gently, and say my prayers of gratitude that you were my son, that you are safe now, and that you are loved.
Always with me,
Mom
John Ray 1975
May 10, 2015
Dear John Ray,
You know you are always with me, in my thoughts, behind my smile, in every tear, and in every prayer. It's Mother's Day morning, the puppers are fed and walked, the breakfast dishes are done, Kellen is at his mothers, Mike is off on a call, and all is quiet. This is a good time to slip out and visit with you. Just thinking back to Mother's Day 1973 and bringing you home from the hospital. Everyone was so excited, you were barely 4 lbs., and I was nothing less than terrified.
You will always be my John Ray, I will always love being your mother, and truly believe you are safer now than ever here on Earth.
May God bless your sweet soul. I love you, Mom
February 12, 2015
Dear John Ray,
Today is a day to savor all the memories, watch the clock while waiting for your call, remembering our last conversation, your last voice mail, secretly hoping to hear your voice.
Here's a confession, Caty Blaze often looks out onto the meadow behind the house when it's too dark outside to really see much of anything. Even this morning she stood firm gazing intently as though she knew something, maybe someone, was there in the distance. Sometimes she barks seemingly alarmed, but sometimes she just wags her tail in welcome as though she knows someone wonderful is coming near. You know I believe in angels and as I watched my Caty Blaze wag her tail this morning welcoming someone only she could see, my prayer was to God that it might be you by His grace. A spiritual visit may just be a mother's imagination but comforting all the same.
Remember when I used to tell you that no matter what, I loved being your mother and will always be your mother from cradle to grave and beyond? Well, now you know it's true. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! Love, Mom
June 17, 2014
Dear John Ray,
Well, today is another anniversary of that fateful day God called you home. June 17th is a day I want to start over, a new dawn, a new chance, a new ending, a new tomorrow, a new future. But at the end of the day, I guess we all make the best decisions that we can with what we have at hand, what we know to be true, and what we hope to be true. I know you did not get in that RV with the intent of dying. You did not leave Lilith's with the intent of dying. You did not start your day knowing you and Blue were hours away from a new journey. I pray the angels were there for you so you were not alone on that highway, hurt, afraid, trying to see Blue.
You are with me in spirit, in my heart, and in my soul. You are my son, I am you mother, and I love you.
Mom
May 11, 2014
Dear John Ray,
Today is Mother's Day and I seem to have finally accepted that you will not be calling. In my heart, we talk everyday though. In my heart, you smile and laugh, you are alive and just away from home. But you are home, really, aren't you? Home is where no one will ever hurt you, no one will prey upon your innocence, no evil can ever touch your soul, and all forces join to protect you. All these blessings are now yours and you are truly home by our Lord's grace.
Having you in my life still amazes me, loving you still fills me with wonder, the memory of bringing you home from the hospital on Mother's Day still brings me to tears. So tiny, so fragile, such a will to live.
I love you, I will always love you, I will always be your mother, and you will always be my John Ray
Love, Mom
February 12, 2014
Hi, sweetie! I awoke this morning at 4:22 a.m. with you on my mind. Such excitement and I felt you were right next to me. So many years have passed, yet this morning I awoke thinking I was in Riverside, not knowing if you made it through the delivery, afraid to ask, afraid not to. Dr. Greentree was so kind; he named you, you know. He said you were here by God's grace, you may be life in its most fragile form but here and fighting for your life . . . name this child John. And so, you were named John.
I am ashamed to admit that it took me several days to muster the courage to see you. Though you were dearly loved, I was paralyzed with fear that you would not make it out of that glass box you were in, so many tubes, pumps, tape all over you, bruises, your entire arm was smaller than my forefinger, your eyes were piercing blue, and then I saw you were covered with a soft, downy fuzz that made you look like you were enveloped in a gentle glow when the blue light was turned on in your incubator. So perfect, just like a china doll, so tiny, so small.
I know you aren't here to celebrate birthdays any more but today will always be your birthday to me, today will always be the day I revere the intern on duty that morning who instinctively knew what to do to safe my child, and today will always be the day I became your mommy.
You are loved and celebrated in my heart always . . . I love being your mom
June 17, 2013
Hi, Sweetheart! Remembering when you were just a little boy, blonde hair in the sunlight, smiles, curious, into everything and then asleep in the laundry basket. I remember the time you and your brother decided to climb into the dryer, then you two discovered the dishwasher, and then I discovered it was all about "doors" for you as a toddler whether opening the dryer or the dishwasher or the refrigerator or the front door to head out to see Grandma.
I love you, John Ray. You are missed so much that I still cannot breathe sometimes. You are always in my heart and knowing you are finally safe is in itself a comfort. Golly, I just wish there could have been another way and maybe, just maybe, another day.
You will always be my little guy bringing home a hurt bunny, frog, bird, or other creature God placed in your path that day.
I love you, Mom
May 12, 2013
Through all your travels, today is one of the days you would find your way to a phone and we would chat for a few minutes about mother and son things. Like bringing you home from the hospital on Mother's Day 1973. You had finally achieved a whopping 4 lbs and holding! I remember being so afraid to leave you for even a second, watching you sleep, the bluest eyes, the most perfect little face, my John Ray.
In my heart everyday, I love you, and am always your mother.
December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas, John Ray. It's your mother, honey. I'm doing better without you, without your phone calls from where ever you havs been traveling, without your stories of your latest escapades, how Blue is doing and how he is loves Caylee, how you want to come home for a visit yet how you can't stay because you have wonderful friends in Oregon. In truth, you were very blessed to have such wonderful friends who think of you often, even every day, smile at the memories, retell the stories, and put up with my impromtu phone calls so that I can share my memories too. Merry Christmas, I love you, I miss you, I wish you were here . . . :) Mom
Derek Wilson
August 22, 2012
My deepest condolences
Jeni Rooney
August 12, 2012
John Ray, sending my love and my hope that you are doing amazing things with Blue at your side, and that you have found your Grandmother. Sweetie, I so miss you. Hope to visit everyone that you loved in Oregon soon! They speak of you often and miss you even today.
Love always, your Mother
May 13, 2012
To my son, John Ray,
You are on my mind every day and today is not all that different but today I really miss hearing your voice. No matter where you were, you called on Mother's Day. When you didn't call, I knew something terrible was in the offing. Despite that feeling, somehow you made it through. Well, now you've been promoted to Heaven and now you are with your Grandma and now you are doing truly great things. Still, no matter how much time passes, I find myself still waiting on the phone to ring . . . I guess it's a mother thing, sweetie. I love you; I miss you.
Love, Mom
May 8, 2011
To my son, John Ray,
I woke up this morning with you on my mind, remembering all the slobbery kisses and sticky hugs on Mother's Day, handmade gifts and heartfelt cards made of whatever papers you and your brother could find. My wish for all mothers is that your Mother's Day be filled with slobbery kisses and sticky hugs! And, if you are really blessed, maybe you will get a card made of whatever the child could find, paste together, color, or cut!
By the grace of our Lord and Savior, I am now and will always be your mother.
Love and smiles, Mom
Diane Syron
June 17, 2010
Jeni,
When most people think of John Ray they think of his beautiful blue eyes,and blonde hair, But what I remember most marvelous spirit captured in that mischievious smile as he pulled out the map of Michigan one Thanksgiving .
I am sure he is in your thoughts and prayers as often as you and Jason are in ours. He is in a better place and I for one am sure he is once again sharing that beautiful smile as he has found his way home.
Bless you sweet sister, may God give you strength to know Jon Ray loves and watches over us all.
Love, Diane
Suzanne Kelley
June 17, 2010
Jeni,
My heart goes out to you on this day. I think about you and John often and pray that you are healing. I truly believe John is with God and at peace. Love you. Suzanne
June 17, 2010
Tonight will be the one year anniversary of John Ray's leaving. It seems he was on his way to somewhere else for most of his adult life. Leaving home to go somewhere. He traveled across the country from Ohio to Florida to California to Utah and then to his fate in Oregon.
Dear Lord, I pray for my John Ray, I pray that You forgive me for missing him so, and I pray that he is traveling with You far beyond where his wildest imagination could ever take him here on Earth.
Dear Lord, thank you always for this child. Amen.
And John Ray, I love you. Mom
May 9, 2010
Today is my first Mother's Day without John Ray. I see him in my memory with his blond hair, blue eyes, and smile that only a little boy can smile at his mommy. I look at pictures of him taken as a grown man and he is still smiling that same boyish smile.
Few remain that remember John came home from the hospital on this very day, Mother's Day, 37 years ago after many, many weeks in pediatric ICU. He was so little . . . a whoppiing 4lbs 3 oz. when they handed him to me to take home. We used an orange to crochet a cap for this child. His entire arm was the size of my first finger. I was fearfully afraid something would happen and I would not know what to do because he was my first child and I was alone in a country farm house far away from doctors and critical care.
John Ray and I made it through those times and shared challenges and triumphs as every mother and child shares. Everyone should be loved the way I loved and love this child. Every mother should be loved the way this child loved me.
Family and friends have left messages today, sent texts, and all have wished me a wonderful Mother's Day. But, in my heart of hearts, all I can feel is the loss of never hearing my John call and tell me that he loves me and is thinking he may be coming home soon. He has a new dog and knows that I will really like him. His name is Blue and he is a great dog.
In God's name, I pray for every mother who is experiencing her first mother's day after losing a child. I pray that family and friends do not forget the child gone before on this day for their mothers' sake. I pray selfishly that God will get me through this day just as I got through John's 37th birthday this year and that I will be well braced for June 17, 2010.
John Ray, I love you, I miss you, and yet you are with me every day. I know I told you and Jason this many times when you were growing up but, once again, I truly did love being your mother.
Our Father who art in Heaven, give us this day . . .
Love, Mom
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