Gary Ragsdale
The population of Heaven increased by one with the arrival of Dr. Gary R. Ragsdale who left Earth on Saturday Oct, 14, 2023.
Life celebrations to be observed at Tullos Hill Memorial Gardens in Ace at 1 p.m. Oct. 28 and at Putters & Gutters, Lampasas, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Gary was born Dec. 11, 1942, as the noon whistle blew, in Pecos. He was a true Texan by soul and actions, who since early childhood enjoyed all outdoor activities and recreation, specifically hunting and fishing and later in life, ranching and raising cattle.
Gary was a 1961 graduate of Hamilton High School and also of Abilene Christian College. Gary’s professional career began right after he graduated from Arizona State University, with a PhD in Business Administration and an Ed.D. in Education.
On his way back home to Hamilton, he passed by a recently built college, Central Texas College. With the ink still fresh on his diplomas, he decided to stop by and see if he could apply for a position. After seeing the strapping, no nonsense type of person he was, he was hired on the spot. He went on to start the CTC Office Administration Department, a position he held for the next 27 years. During those years in his free time, he began to accumulate and start several businesses including three mobile home parks, new housing construction and Topsy Road Mercantile Store.
Gary was a member and former member of several civic organizations in Central Texas including Lions Club in Copperas Cove, which he held the presidency for one term.
After he retired from college, Gary married the love of his life, Elnora Tullos Boggan, and the two lovebirds began a life of traveling, going on multiple cruises, visiting nearby and far off casinos, theaters and reunions with his many old friends.
Gary Ragsdale did not ever meet a person who did not like him right away, and he will be fondly remembered by his family and friends.
Dr. Ragsdale is preceded by his parents, Ray and Bobbie Nell Ragsdale.
He is survived by his wife Elnora; brother Scott Ragsdale and wife Paula of Wimberly; sister Ruthy Ragsdale Pirkle and husband Dr. Carter Pirkle of Iowa Park; son Russell Kendrick and wife Josie of Austin; grandchildren Lauryn, Mason and Olivia Kendrick of Austin; his beautiful niece, Little Bobbie aka Bobbie Grace Ragsdale of Austin; cousins Robert Wayne Ragsdale and wife Norma Sue of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Silas Ragsdale of Seymor and Maudie Pearl Ragsdale Monrow and husband W. C. of Crawford; and member of Elnora’s family who adopted him as their own, Billy Tullos and wife Carolyn, Leon Tullos and wife Pat, sisterin- law Sally Richter Tullos and Richard Tullos and wife Joyce, all of Ace, Murielene Tullos Hatton and husband Jerry of Warren, Jerry Tullos and wife Susan and Debra Tullos Wood and husband Ronnie, all of Livingston, and Margaret Tullos Pixley and husband Bryant of Ace.
He also is survived by many nieces and nephews, several great-nieces and -nephews and his best friend from 1972, Tony Barrio of Lampasas.
There is no question the Great Architect of the universe embraced him and took him in His Kingdom.
Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh. com.
