Friendswood Mourns Roy Charles Ratliff After Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Stephens County

The community of Friendswood is feeling a heavy silence this week as news spreads about the loss of Roy Charles Ratliff. Roy, a man known for his big heart and even bigger smile, passed away following a motorcycle accident on Friday afternoon. At 69 years old, he lived with a kind of energy that made it hard to believe he was nearly seventy, always seeking out the next adventure or a way to help a neighbor.

The crash happened just around 2:30 p.m. on December 19, 2025. Roy was riding along FM 578 in Stephens County, enjoying the open road on what started as a typical Friday. According to the initial reports from investigators, Roy was heading southbound when he came up on a curve in the road. It seems he was moving a bit too fast to handle the turn safely, causing the bike to lose its grip on the pavement.

Everything happened in a heartbeat. His motorcycle skidded across the asphalt and hit a guardrail, throwing Roy from the bike. Emergency teams arrived quickly and did everything they could, rushing him to Harris Methodist Hospital. Despite their best efforts and the speed of the transport, Roy was tragically pronounced dead after arriving at the facility.

Friends and family are struggling to process the suddenness of it all. Roy wasn’t just a name in a police report; he was a staple in his neighborhood and a man who put his family above everything else. He had this infectious laugh that could light up a room and a genuine way of making you feel like the most important person in the world when he spoke to you.

Those who spent time with him remember a man who truly loved the freedom of the ride. He was well aware of the risks that come with a motorcycle, but he lived for the wind in his face and the sense of peace he found on two wheels. His commitment to his friends was unwavering, and he was the type of person you could call at any hour if you were in a bind.

Right now, authorities in Stephens County are still looking into the fine details of the crash to make sure they have the full picture. It’s a standard part of the process, but it offers little comfort to those left behind. For the people of Friendswood, the focus isn’t on the investigation, but on the massive hole Roy’s absence has left in their daily lives.

Roy Charles Ratliff leaves behind a legacy of simple kindness and deep connections. He showed everyone around him that life is meant to be enjoyed, even if it ends far sooner than anyone expected. As his family prepares to say their final goodbyes, they are holding onto the memories of his warmth and the many ways he made the world a little bit brighter just by being in it.