1943
Marvin
2015
Marvin V. Ragan
February 26, 1943 — April 21, 2015
Marvin V. Ragan, age 72, of Unadilla died Tuesday, April 21 from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia after being diagnosed with the disease in November, 2012.
Mr. Ragan was born and reared in Henderson and lived in Unadilla the past 41 years. He was educated in the Houston County School System, Middle Georgia College and the University of Georgia School of Banking. He retired from State Bank & Trust Co. in 2009 after a career spanning 40 years, all in Unadilla. He started as a bookkeeper and held various positions over the years ranging from bookkeeper to President to Chairman of the Board.
He was a business entrepreneur and became a partner in numerous businesses over the years. He was known as a hard worker with a strong moral fiber and was always ready to help people that were down on their luck. He always held a special place in his heart for children and those less fortunate than he was.
He was active in his church and community and was a member of First Baptist Church of Unadilla for 40 years where he served as a Deacon and in many leadership positions in the church. At the time of his death, he served on the Dooly County Industrial Development Authority Board and the Dooly-Crisp Development Authority Board. He served on numerous other community boards over the years and was a Mason and Shriner for the past 40 years.
Mr. Ragan served honorably in the US Navy including 3 tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Navy Excellence (E) Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and he proudly wore his Navy Flight Wings with over 700 hours of flight time while serving in Vietnam.
He was an avid NASCAR fan and racing participant, having started racing in 1966 and periodically owned and drove race cars for over 30 years, driving his last race in Savannah in 2010.; He owned a NASCAR Winston Cup team for over 10 years in the 1980's and early 1990's and was a partner in the Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele for the past 10 years. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the racing world.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Ragan, Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Joan Rucker Ragan of Unadilla; his son, Brett Ragan of Unadilla; his daughter, Kylie Turner (Tyler Rainey) of Cordele; his mother, Molly Ragan of Henderson; his sister, JaNice Maine of Daytona Beach, FL; his brothers, Hugh Ragan, Jr. (Jane) of Smyrna and Ken Ragan (Beverly) of Perry; his grandchildren, Ragan Turner and Kinsley Rainey.
Funeral services will be at 3 PM Thursday in First Baptist Church of Unadilla with interment in Henderson Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will greet friends 6 - 8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, 911 Cherry Street, Unadilla, GA 31091 or Leukemia Research Foundation, 3220 Lake Avenue, Suite 202, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Unadilla has charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ragan was born and reared in Henderson and lived in Unadilla the past 41 years. He was educated in the Houston County School System, Middle Georgia College and the University of Georgia School of Banking. He retired from State Bank & Trust Co. in 2009 after a career spanning 40 years, all in Unadilla. He started as a bookkeeper and held various positions over the years ranging from bookkeeper to President to Chairman of the Board.
He was a business entrepreneur and became a partner in numerous businesses over the years. He was known as a hard worker with a strong moral fiber and was always ready to help people that were down on their luck. He always held a special place in his heart for children and those less fortunate than he was.
He was active in his church and community and was a member of First Baptist Church of Unadilla for 40 years where he served as a Deacon and in many leadership positions in the church. At the time of his death, he served on the Dooly County Industrial Development Authority Board and the Dooly-Crisp Development Authority Board. He served on numerous other community boards over the years and was a Mason and Shriner for the past 40 years.
Mr. Ragan served honorably in the US Navy including 3 tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Navy Excellence (E) Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and he proudly wore his Navy Flight Wings with over 700 hours of flight time while serving in Vietnam.
He was an avid NASCAR fan and racing participant, having started racing in 1966 and periodically owned and drove race cars for over 30 years, driving his last race in Savannah in 2010.; He owned a NASCAR Winston Cup team for over 10 years in the 1980's and early 1990's and was a partner in the Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele for the past 10 years. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the racing world.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Ragan, Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Joan Rucker Ragan of Unadilla; his son, Brett Ragan of Unadilla; his daughter, Kylie Turner (Tyler Rainey) of Cordele; his mother, Molly Ragan of Henderson; his sister, JaNice Maine of Daytona Beach, FL; his brothers, Hugh Ragan, Jr. (Jane) of Smyrna and Ken Ragan (Beverly) of Perry; his grandchildren, Ragan Turner and Kinsley Rainey.
Funeral services will be at 3 PM Thursday in First Baptist Church of Unadilla with interment in Henderson Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will greet friends 6 - 8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, 911 Cherry Street, Unadilla, GA 31091 or Leukemia Research Foundation, 3220 Lake Avenue, Suite 202, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Unadilla has charge of arrangements.
Marvin V. Ragan
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