MSG U.S. Army Ret. Roy J. Ratleff

Roy Joseph Ratleff, a professional Special Forces (Green Beret) Retired Master Sgt died Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 4:09 p.m. He was a resident of Slidell, LA since 1976, born in New Orleans, LA on 27 Oct 1931. He attended Corpus Christi Elementary School, Xavier Prep and J.S. Clark High Schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 at the age of 17. He fought during the Korean 1950-51, Dominican Republic 1965-66 and Vietnam Wars 1968-69. He retired in November 1969 with 21 years of active Military Service. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart for Combat wounds. The Expert Infantry Badge, Two Combat Infantry Badges, Master Parachutist Wings, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Occupational Medal Germany/Japan, Good Conduct Medal (six awards), Korean War Medal, Korean Service Medal w/5 campaign stars, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal (2 awards), Vietnam Service Medal w/3 bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, U.S. Presidential Unit Citation w/oak leaf. Air Assault Badge, Vietnam Parachutist Wings, Various Qualification Badges Rifles, Pistols, Grenades and other weapons. All the Service Schools he attended he finished in the top third of his class. He was the Honor Graduate at the Non-Commission Officers Academy in 1953. His Commanding Officer attended the Graduation with the paperwork for him to attend Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He declined saying he would prefer to remain a NCO, a leader among Enlisted Men.


After Military Service, he worked as an Insurance claims Adjuster for Quality Adjustment Service, then as a Chauffeur for Mrs. E.B. Ludwig. He then went to work at the U.S. Postal Service (Main Office) for sixteen years during which time he attended Delgado Community College where he earned an Associate of Science Degree in Law enforcement, was the Honor graduate, made the President's and Dean's lists. While still working for the Postal Service at night he went to work for the Orleans Parish School Board and with the concurrence of the Army at Fort Riley, KS organized and trained the first Army Junior ROTC Unit in New Orleans at L.B. Landry High School. After leaving he worked a short time at the V.A. Regional Office as a file clerk and job consular where he saw a job listing and went to work offshore as a Filter Technician on various oil rigs for RETSCO out of Harvey. After a disagreement with RETSCO he went to work for General Corrugated Box Co. for about three years as a Die Press Operator. Then went back to the Orleans Parish School Board as a Bus Operator where he worked until age seventy. He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, The Special Forces XXX. Life member of the Association of the U.S. Army since 1959, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8973, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 37, National Order of Trench Rats Chapter 53, The Retired Enlisted Association, National WWII Museum and the AARP.


Our Daddy only wanted to be all that he could be. He did not strive to be anything but himself. He practiced the Creole Motto, "Dignity of labor whether with hand or head. That the world owes no person a living. But that it owes every person an opportunity." Further, that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Those are some of the values he instilled in us and for that we are grateful. He was married three times. First to Geraldine Ricketts Ratleff, (Deceased) of that union Derrick J. Ratleff, Chiquita Ratleff Quan and Cheyenne Ratleff Thomas (Deceased) were born. Second to Barbara Carlson Ratleff (Deceased) who previously had a daughter, Acquanetta Carlson Le Duff of that union Aloha Ratleff, Allison Ratleff Brown, Katrina Ratleff Morales, Anjanette Ratleff Tassin and Kimberly Ratleff Floyd were born. Third to Joanna Jacobs Ratleff (Deceased) of that union no children but Daddy gained a son Roland Mullin Jr. from Joanna's previous marriage. He was pre-deceased by those mentioned above and his beloved devoted canines Punkin and Ruffin and Feline Menu. He is survived by his seven daughters and two sons mentioned above, one sister, Constance (Connie) Ratleff Gonzales Crouch. 31 Grandchildren, 43 Great Grandchildren one Great Great Grandchild, one Nephew, two Nieces, one Great Nephew, two Great Nieces, numerous cousins and a few remaining friends, devoted, loyal canine companion Bruiser.


Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans followed by a visitation on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors at All Saints Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers or plants if you care to make a donation please, send it to either DAV 103 Dodge Ave. Jefferson, LA 70121 or VFW 531 Lyons St. New Orleans, LA 70115.


There will be a repass to celebrate his life.


To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com