John H. Ragan, Sr

John Ragan died February 18, 2019 at Archbold Hospital in Thomasville.
Born Dec. 31, 1932 in Moultrie, GA. He was the son of Vincent and Sally Mae Ragan. John was one of four children (Docia Sapp (deceased), Vincent Ragan, Jr. (deceased) and Christine Cranford (Tullahoma, TN). John grew up in Colquitt County, before moving to Thomas County with his family at an early age. John graduated from Thomasville High School in 1952, and joined the Army shortly after graduation. He married Rita Belanger on April 6, 1956. John and Rita raised 5 children in several locations overseas and stateside before retiring in Thomasville in 1971. John served 20 years in the Army with one tour in Ethiopia, two tours in Germany, one in Korea, and one in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star during his tour in Vietnam.
He continued to work until his early 80’s with most of the time working with his extended family’s roofing business. John was a member of the St. Augustine's Catholic Church and continued to serve the church throughout his retirement. He was a loving father and husband who spent many happy hours with his family around him. He was also an avid fisherman and loved to go to the The Billiard Academy (‘the office’) every day.
John is survived by his wife Rita, his daughters Denise Ray (Ken) of Savannah, and Lisa Ingram (Randy) of Monticello, FL, and his three sons, John Jr., Gary and Keith (Amy) all of Thomasville. He is also survived by four granddaughters Nicole Friske (Brooklyn, NY), Tiffany Wickham, Amanda Sowell, and Ashley Sheffield, one grandson, Brenin Ragan, and two great-granddaughters, Kelsey and Presley Sheffield, all of Thomasville.
A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, Feb. 20th at noon at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, followed by graveside services at Sunset Memorial Garden. Visitation will be held at Tuesday, Feb. 19th at Allen and Allen Funeral Home from 5-7pm.