Mr. Kenneth Eston Ragan Sr.'s Obituary
Kenneth Eston Ragan Sr.
December 4, 1924 – November 24, 2020
Kenneth Eston Ragan Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at his residence in Garland, TX, 10 days short of his 96th birthday.
Wonderful father to Kenneth Eston Ragan Jr. (Crystal), and Cynthia Ragan Henning (Gary), Grandfather to Steven Ragan Henning and Ashley Bishop Henning. Brother to Don Ragan (Ruby) and Dan Ragan (June).
Predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Eugenie Ragan, nee Stoll; parents Stuart Eston and Hazel Ragan; sister Gloria Nylen; and sister-in-law Gerry Ragan, nee Hester.
Ken was born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 4, 1924, later moving to Tulsa, where he became active in Scouting and earned the top rank of Eagle Scout. After one year at Oklahoma A & M College, Ken enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving from May 1943 thru February 1947. As a Lieutenant, Ken was certified to fly 8 military aircraft, including B-17’s, B-24’s, B-26’s and B-29’s; all operating in the European theater during the post WWII occupation. After an Honorable Discharge, Ken joined the US Air National Guard, flying F-80 fighter jets, until his retirement as Captain in 1962.
After his Military service, Ken finished his college education and held several jobs before beginning a 37 year sales career at Snap-on Tools. He retired as Snap-on Incorporated, VP – International, in 1990. He was credited with launching Snap-on Australia and Snap-on Singapore, among other accomplishments.
Ken traveled the world, including UK, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Japan and Australia. Music was important, playing the trombone in early years and grand piano/keyboard in retirement. He was an avid skier, hanging up his boots at age 80. Ken was known as a culinary specialist and a master of the Sunday afternoon barbeque, and always opened his table to family, friends and international work colleagues as well.
Ken was a loving patriarch of the greater Ragan family, always willing to aid family members in any way over many decades. He especially enjoyed Monopoly and other board games with his children and grandchildren, even with self-made rules.
A private service is planned before his interment at Rosehill Memorial Park, Tulsa, OK, on December 4, 2020.
In lieu of flowers please give Brookdale Hospice, 4025 Woodland Park Blvd, Ste 190, Arlington, TX 76013 in Ken's honor.
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