Dan Alexander Ragan's Obituary
Dan Alexander Ragan was born on July 26, 1934, and died tragically on November 12, 2022. He leaves behind June, his wife of 62 years and his twin brother, Don. He is also survived by nephew Kenneth Ragan, Jr., and nieces Cynthia Ragan Henning, Laura Ragan Chatham, and Karen Ragan Smith, as well as June's numerous nieces and nephews, who adored him as their own uncle. There are many great nieces and nephews on both sides. He was preceded by his parents, Stuart Eston Ragan and Virginia Ragan, his brother Kenneth Ragan and sister, Gloria Nylen.
As a young man, Dan was a naval aviator. His mission was surveillance over the Pacific Ocean and the Straits of Taiwan and countries surrounding China. There he developed his love for airplanes and flying. Over the years, he built hundreds of WWII models. He built one large model of his beloved B-17, which he donated to the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. He was flying in that plane at the time of his death.
Dan attended Oklahoma State University where he received a BS in Electrical engineering and Southern Methodist University where he received an MBA. Dan was proud when he became a Sigma Chi at Oklahoma State and became a Life Loyal Sig.
Dan was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City. He was active in his churches, being a deacon and an elder and serving as Boy Scout Leader. He also liked to usher where he could greet and welcome people as they came in. Dan loved the Utah Symphony and was an officer of the Utah Symphony Guild, helping to plan fund-raising events.
He loved to travel and had been around the world several times. He had been to all seven continents and over 100 countries, many while doing business, as well as pleasure trips. He particularly loved Asia because of his early navy days, and he and June continued travel after he retired. He and June lived in Hong Kong and still have many friends in Asia. Dan loved skiing, bird watching, big band music, and working jigsaw puzzles. He loved getting dressed up for formal affairs, as well as always being a natty dresser.
Dan and June moved back to Dallas to be near family after living 33 years in Salt Lake City. The Edgemere community could not be more kind, loving, and supportive, and June is grateful to be surrounded with caring staff (from top to bottom) and residents.
A private committal with Navy Honors is planned, and future Memorial Service will be announced later.
Donations in lieu of flowers: charity of your choice or Airshowfoundation.org Go to: “support” Select: “donation in honor of an individual” Type: CAF and the “name of memorialized
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