Michael Allen Ratliff, 40, of Tavernier, went home to the Lord on May 1, 2026.

Born in Miami on July 27, 1985, Michael grew up in Tavernier where he was a lifelong resident. He attended Plantation Key School for his elementary and middle school years and graduated from Coral Shores High School. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology. In between studies, Michael took any available opportunity to run with the cross country and track teams and workout in the university's gym. Quite often, with a smile on his face, he reflected on his happy memories and experiences with his friends at Nova.

Growing up on the water, Michael loved to swim and snorkel and go boating with his family and friends. For many years, he enjoyed spending parts of his family summer vacations swimming and taking long walks on the beach at Fort Myers Beach. So many happy memories were made there, as well as the waterslide parks in Silver Springs, Orlando, and Jekyll Island, GA. He also enjoyed visiting his cousin Lester's farm in north Florida in the summertime, taking road trips, going to Stone Mountain Park, and snow skiing in North Carolina as a child.

While attending college, Michael enjoyed working in the microlab assisting his fellow students from throughout the university with their technology needs. After completing college, he worked in the retail/customer service industry in the Upper Keys community until multiple health issues limited his physical activities.

From a young age, Michael enjoyed playing and watching a variety of sports including tennis, baseball, soccer, and basketball. He always had a passion for playing tennis as he started playing at eight years old, continued playing through high school, and for many years thereafter. He loved attending the Miami Open tennis tournaments (formerly Ericsson and Nasdaq Opens) at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne as well as the MLB games for the Miami Marlins (Pro Player Stadium), Atlanta Braves (Turner Field), and Tampa Bay Rays (Tropicana Field). Many wonderful memories were also created cheering on our University of Miami hurricanes baseball team (Mark Light Stadium) on Sunday afternoons after church with his cousins. Saturday afternoons in the fall were often spent with family and friends rooting for favorite college football teams. He also liked to watch the Miami Dolphins games as well as other NFL matchups.

Michael loved playing cards with friends and family, playing ping-pong in the backyard, going for walks, watching movies, and watching current tennis matches and reruns of epic tennis matches from the past.

Michael's kind heart, genuine smile, and willingness to help others were a reflection of his Christian faith. From an early age he was active in his church as an acolyte, children's angelus and chime bell choir member, video/audio booth assistant, Vacation Bible School helper, and he helped his mother with preparing brochures and assembling boxes for Operation Christmas Child each year. Throughout his adult life, Michael would find joy in listening to his favorite contemporary Christian artists and reading daily Upper Room devotions.

Michael is survived by his mother, Julie Albury Ratliff, his father, Barry Ratliff, his uncles Timothy (Cristina) Albury, and Darrell (Jackie) Ratliff, his aunt Connie Hume, and many beloved cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, William Ray and Alberta Albury, James Ralph and Edith Ratliff, uncles Daniel Albury, James Ratliff, and Benjamin Keith Ratliff.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Burton Memorial United Methodist Church, 93001 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in memory of Michael Ratliff to:

Residing Hope

51 Children's Way

Enterprise, FL 32725

www.residinghope.org

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made

In memory of Michael Ratliff to

Residing Hope

51 Children's Way, Enterprise FL 32725

www.residinghope.org