Ragan, Ralph
RAGAN, Ralph
Ralph Lawton Ragan, age 92 passed away October 7, 2021. He was born on July 6, 1929 at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. He was the son of the late Ralph and Margaret Lawton Ragan also of Atlanta.
Ralph attended E. Rivers Elementary School, North Fulton High School, The Darlington School and the University of Georgia (B.A. in Physics, 1953) where he was affiliated with the Chi Phi Fraternity. Immediately upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country in Korea (1953-1955). After completing his tour of duty in the military, he returned to civilian life and joined the family textile machinery business, Ragan Ring Co. He had a natural talent for engineering design and new product development. Among other achievements was that of acquiring several basic U.S. Patents including one pertaining to an improved method of textile yarn production.
While he enjoyed the work he was doing with the family business, he nonetheless had a lifelong passion for aviation. He decided to pursue a career in that field and he found employment with Lockheed Aircraft Company, in Georgia and Boeing in Seattle, WA. He later went to work for General Dynamics, Inc. until his retirement in 1990.
Ralph was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and was an honorary life member of the Piedmont Driving Club. He greatly enjoyed tennis and swimming and hunting and fishing in the mountains of north Georgia and North Carolina.
His 20's and early 30's were his dating years. He dated many of the eligible young ladies of Atlanta Society and attended the annual Debutante parties, however, he could never quite bring himself to surrender his much cherished independence.
Ralph was a life-long bachelor; however, life was not so lonely as it might have been were it not for his love of people that he came into contact with in the ordinary walks of life; the barber, the waiters in the restaurants that he frequented and also of equal importance were the close and loyal friends that he had.
There was always a lot of jocularity and good times when he saw those people as he went about his daily activities.
Ralph was predeceased by his two sisters, Margaret Ragan Smith and Anne Ragan Morrison. He is survived by his long-time friend, Frances B. Stone, five nephews and three nieces.
The body will be cremated and a private service held at the Ragan Mausoleum, Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta or any charity of meaning to the donor.
Ralph Ragan loved life and in so many ways life loved him.
May the Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord be with him and abide with him on his Heavenly journey.
