Ralph E. Ragland (Colonel, USAF, Retired) passed away peacefully at home, March 26, 2023, in Hurst, Texas, at the age of 88. He was surrounded by family and his loving wife of 67 years, Anna Sumner Ragland. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marilyn (Bob) Jacobsen and their son Bobby, and his son-in-law Frederick “Bubba” Klemcke. He is survived by his beloved Anna; his sisters Carol (John) Buck and Alice (Bob) Bergeron; his children Scott Ragland, Marci (Bubba) Klemcke, Melanie (Mike) McConnell, Stacy (Lee) Ragland; 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren (names listed below) and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was born February 3, 1935, in Dixon, Illinois, to Oliver “O.C.” and Fairy Stein Ragland. He was the second of four children. His family spent his early years (when he was known as “Bud”) dairy farming in Illinois and Wisconsin. That’s where his incredible innate work ethic became evident and his love of photography began. It’s also where he developed his well-known intense dislike of cold, snow and wind! Upon graduating from Elkhorn (Wisconsin) High School in 1953, he pursued his lifelong dream of learning to fly by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and being selected as an Air Force Aviation Cadet (Distinguished Graduate – Class 55Q). Here is where he first became known as “Rags”, the name by which he was known the rest of his life. He also met his adored Anna during that period and they were married in Tifton, Georgia, in July 1955. During his 13 years of active flying in B-47s, B-52s and C-123s, Rags received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1967. His later assignments included computer programming and his work on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (“JCS 3”) at the Pentagon, which was his final assignment. Especially noteworthy is that he was selected as the Air Force’s liaison pilot to Rockwell International to the B-1 Bomber project in its early stages of planning and design from 1972-1974. He proudly served in the Air Force for more than 26 years, retiring as a Colonel on August 31, 1980. Having moved 13 times in those 26 years, he and Anna retired to San Antonio and made their home in the same house for nearly 40 years. They spent their retirement years traveling, spoiling their ever-growing number of grand and great-grandchildren, and doting on each other. During this period he delved into entrepreneurialism in several ventures, including work in early home computers when they were run by programs on cassette tapes. (That was just the beginning of his fascination with anything techie.) He also worked with his son Stacy for many years and with his son-in-law Bubba for several years. His strong love of country and patriotism included many years being active in politics by attending meetings, poll-working and canvassing in his neighborhood. Rags and Anna moved to Hurst in 2021, where Anna still lives. Ralph was loved, respected and very much adored by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with many lifelong friends. He was well known for his humility, generous heart, love, and service always to others along with his wit, playful sense of humor, optimism and drive to be always active and productive. A personal note from his children: Dad had said several times in the last few years that the one thing he wished he could do again was to pilot a plane. The closest we were able get for him was a private tour for him of his favorite aircraft ,a “Texan T-6” aircraft, when he spent a glorious 90 minutes inspecting the aircraft and, of course, swapping stories with the three generous pilots who had arranged it all for him. The closest we could get, that is, until January 26, 2023. With the miracle help of “Captain Rob” and his private plane, Dad took one more flight. Rob insisted that Dad sit in the pilot seat and after they were airborne, he actually turned over the controls to allow Dad to fly it by himself for more than 10 minutes. Getting to see the joy on Dad’s face (before, during and after) is a blessing for which we will forever be grateful. Dad invited Jesus to be his personal savior in the last part of his life. We know he always loved the song “Amazing Grace” and also the poem “High Flight”. He has now truly “reached out his hand and touched the face of God.” Memorial service will be June 4th and details are available from his family. (Condolence messages for the family may be submitted via this site.) ********************************* Ralph’s and Anna’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Children of Scott and Nancy (his wife at the time) – Sarah (Michael) Wolf and Zachary & Emily – Evan (Zoe) Ragland and Charlotte, Josiah, Christopher & Lucy – Ben (Rachel) Ragland and Vannah & Kai – Naomi (Ragland) Nash and Zoey, Daisy, Penny & Finn – Elijah (Melissa) Ragland and “Baby Ragland” coming soon Children of Marci and Bubba – Ryan (Haley) Klemcke and Everly, Delaney & Harrison – Tana (Jason) Trottie and Josiah & Emma – Corey (Mavis) Klemcke and Maisy – Kara (Andy) Brandt Children of Melanie and Mike – Erin (Spencer Topa) McConnell – Ian McConnell – Logan McConnell Children of Stacy and Lee – Kristy (Austen) Cabler and Gideon – Kelsey Ragland
12 Responses
My heart hurts for your loss of Uncle Ralph. I loved to talk to him and hear the stories of his career in the USAF. He was a great person and loved his family and friends. Also moms brother Jimmy Taylor passed away last week at 86. Love my aunt Anna and cousins. Will always has a special memory of Rags and good times.
Thanks so much, Jerry. Your sweet words mean a lot to Mom. Much love to you and yours.
Precious Anna…I am heartbroken as you say goodbye to your wonderful husband . Gods comfort to all of you as you navigate these confusing and painful days. Dearest friend, Melanie, I cannot thank you enough for twenty years of sharing your dad’s jokes and his wisdom.. what a great man!
Hi, Carol. We have gotten behind in replying to our friends’ post and I apologize for that. I shared your thoughts with Mom and she was so appreciative. She has a special place in her heart for you. <3
Melanie and all of Rags’ family
Rags was more than just a friend. He was a mentor, a guide, and a supporter who helped us adjust to a new country and culture. We met him when we came to America from a totally different world, where we faced many challenges and difficulties. He worked with me at Omni Elevators, where he taught me how to speak English and use a computer. He also invited us to his home, where we met his lovely wife Anna and their wonderful family.
Rags and Anna showed us what it means to live the American dream. They were generous, kind, funny, and patriotic. They inspired us to work hard, learn new skills, and pursue our goals. They also gave us a sense of security and comfort by lending us their credit card when we decided to move to San Francisco. We still have the letter they wrote us when we left, which we cherish as a precious memory.
We kept in touch with them over the phone and online, but we never got the chance to see them again in person. We were hoping they would visit us someday, but sadly that day never came. We were shocked and heartbroken when we heard the news of Rags’ passing.
We will always remember Rags as a dear friend and a great person. He touched our lives in so many ways and made us feel like family.
We will pass Rags’s life story to our children and grandchildren so he will be remembered by our family forever.
Rest in peace, Rags. You will always be in our hearts.
Our sympathy to all of the family, and especially to Anna. While our family knew Ralph when we were all children/teenagers, sadly we lost contact with him for many years during his Air Force career. He will be missed by all of his family.
Audrey (Huck) McCool and Morris Huck (Ralph’s cousins)
I am cousin Morris’s wife and I have heard many stories of his cousin Ralph, his siblings and wife to whom I send my heartfelt condolences .
May the love and support of family and friends help you all through this sad and difficult time.
Sounds like a very exciting life!
I knew you as a youngster visiting your Ragland grandparents in Nashville, IL
(but we all called you “Ralph” at that time.)
I spent a couple years at Lackland AFB, first as a Basic Training Officer (1960)
then transferred to the USAF Medical Service Corps (as a Medical Laboratory Officer specializing in Biochemistry) at March AFB near Riverside, CA – then served in USAF Med. Svc. Corps, Selfridge AFB in Michigan until medical discharge following diagnosis with Cerebral Aneurysm, corrected by surgery at Henry Ford hospital in Detroit, MI.
Upon recovery, I served 18 years directing Clinical Laboratory at Auburn University (AL), then 10 more years until retirement here at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL.
Sorry to have missed connecting with you in San Antonio – did not realize you were so close all that time!
Morris Huck
Champaign, IL.
Dear Anna and family:
Our sincere condolences for your loss!! Rags was a great man!! I enjoyed talking with him. I especially remember Nancy and Johns Wedding and how he played with the grandkids.
May your hearts be filled with great memories!!
Dear Anna and family . Today Monday 3rd July was only by my love of reading that I read about the passing of Ralph (Rags ) Ragland . My family and I met Rags and Anna on a Bus tour of Europe was 1990 and on that trip we became to know them . We became very good friends, we visited them in Sanantonio they visited us in Canberra , Australia . I wish to say to Anna and family , I will never forget , the friendship we had with Rags . Rags truely was one of the finest people that I have ever met I know Rags was a great Husband and father to his family and also to all his Grand children . Rest in Peace dear Ralph (Rags.) I and my family pass on our very best regards , yours sincerely to Anna and all family members . Bless you from Graeme Horwood , Louise and Andrew’s families .
I knew Rags at Lincoln AFB and after Vietnam helped get him assigned with me to SAC HQ in computer war gaming of the allies nuclear war plan against the Soviets expected plan. The two of us did a lot of volunteer speaking in the evenings to various groups on the Vietnam POW issue and solicited names which we sent to Sweden in efforts to get them released. He was a terrific person and Inez and I send our condolences to Anna and his family. Truman Spangrud
Colonel Ragland will be recognized with a formal toast in his memory at the next meeting of Stinsons Flight, Order of Daedalians, of which he was a valued life member. Hail, farewell, and happy landings from his fellow military aviators.