Official Obituary of
John Elmer Samuel Ragan
November 5, 1928 ~ October 6, 2021 (age 92) 92 Years Old
John Ragan Obituary
Elmer Samuel Ragan Jr., better known as John S. Ragan, was born on November 5, 1928 in Cement, OK to Elmer Samuel (Johnnie) Ragan Sr. and Minnie Elnora Farrow. He passed from this life on October 6, 2021. He lived primarily in Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas.
John worked most of his life as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator. He was a licensed pilot and an ace welder. He worked pipeline in the U.S. and several foreign countries, including South America and the Middle East. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1946 and served in the U.S Army 1947 to 1949. John was an avid Harley-Davidson rider, like his father before him. He loved to dance, whistle, tinker in his workshop, and sing humorous ditties. He loved talking about his life experiences and could certainly tell some “tall” tales.
John and Audrey Geneva Coldiron were married on June 30, 1946 in Galveston, TX. They had four children: Loyd Gene Ragan, Connie Sue Ragan Seelke, John Wayne Ragan and Linda Joyce Ragan; grandchildren: Vicki Ragan Harris, Lonnie Ragan, Amber Seelke Butcher, Logan Seelke, Marshanna Ragan Dial, Linda Ragan Duncan, Sonya Grant, Saiyette Ragan Taylor and John W. Ragan II; 23 great grandchildren; and nine great great grandchildren.
On June 9, 1984 he married Clara Ramming Thompson in Perrin, TX and he acquired a whole second family. Clara’s children included Margaret Ann Thompson Stephenson (Garry) and Calvin Ray Thompson; grandchildren: Garry Don Stephenson II (Tiffany), Michelle Stephenson Masten (Ryan), Scott Stephenson (Mariedith), Ashton Stephenson (Cloa) and Joseph Stephenson (Destyni Batch); honorary grandchildren: Nicky Lisitano and Brooke Keck; and nine great grandchildren. John became a part of Clara’s family and was affectionately referred to as Papaw. He enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. He was heavily involved in his grandchildren’s activities; he helped build pinewood derby cars, a giant Papier-mâché whale, Boy Scout Eagle Scout projects, and even built a pinewood derby race track for Troop 434.
He loved his family and will be greatly missed by all.
John was preceded in death by both of his parents; brothers: Arthur Ragan, Obie Ragan, Jimmie Rodgers, and Leo Dale Kline; sister: Barbara Ragan Burney; daughter, Linda Joyce Ragan; and son, Calvin Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Clara, of the home; sisters: Janet Ragan Burney and Janice Ragan Wilson; his surviving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, October 10, from 2:00-4:00P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home. Graveside services are scheduled for Monday, October 11, at 10:00A.M. at the Marlow Cemetery led by Michelle Masten. Military honors will be presented by the Stephens County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.
John worked most of his life as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator. He was a licensed pilot and an ace welder. He worked pipeline in the U.S. and several foreign countries, including South America and the Middle East. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1946 and served in the U.S Army 1947 to 1949. John was an avid Harley-Davidson rider, like his father before him. He loved to dance, whistle, tinker in his workshop, and sing humorous ditties. He loved talking about his life experiences and could certainly tell some “tall” tales.
John and Audrey Geneva Coldiron were married on June 30, 1946 in Galveston, TX. They had four children: Loyd Gene Ragan, Connie Sue Ragan Seelke, John Wayne Ragan and Linda Joyce Ragan; grandchildren: Vicki Ragan Harris, Lonnie Ragan, Amber Seelke Butcher, Logan Seelke, Marshanna Ragan Dial, Linda Ragan Duncan, Sonya Grant, Saiyette Ragan Taylor and John W. Ragan II; 23 great grandchildren; and nine great great grandchildren.
On June 9, 1984 he married Clara Ramming Thompson in Perrin, TX and he acquired a whole second family. Clara’s children included Margaret Ann Thompson Stephenson (Garry) and Calvin Ray Thompson; grandchildren: Garry Don Stephenson II (Tiffany), Michelle Stephenson Masten (Ryan), Scott Stephenson (Mariedith), Ashton Stephenson (Cloa) and Joseph Stephenson (Destyni Batch); honorary grandchildren: Nicky Lisitano and Brooke Keck; and nine great grandchildren. John became a part of Clara’s family and was affectionately referred to as Papaw. He enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. He was heavily involved in his grandchildren’s activities; he helped build pinewood derby cars, a giant Papier-mâché whale, Boy Scout Eagle Scout projects, and even built a pinewood derby race track for Troop 434.
He loved his family and will be greatly missed by all.
John was preceded in death by both of his parents; brothers: Arthur Ragan, Obie Ragan, Jimmie Rodgers, and Leo Dale Kline; sister: Barbara Ragan Burney; daughter, Linda Joyce Ragan; and son, Calvin Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Clara, of the home; sisters: Janet Ragan Burney and Janice Ragan Wilson; his surviving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, October 10, from 2:00-4:00P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home. Graveside services are scheduled for Monday, October 11, at 10:00A.M. at the Marlow Cemetery led by Michelle Masten. Military honors will be presented by the Stephens County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Elmer Samuel Ragan, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know John Elmer Samuel Ragan?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor John's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
© 2024 Whitt Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility