Ronald Regis Ragan

November 11, 1934 - August 30, 2021
Ronald Regis Ragan

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Ronald Regis Ragan, 86 of Wilmington NC, passed away on August 30, 2021 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

He was born November 11, 1934, in Pittsburg, PA, to the late Paul and Kathryn Ragan. Ronald was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth, and son in-law Swain Smith.

Ronald was a beloved husband for 65 years to Beverly Ann Ragan; a devoted father to Kim (Larry Owens) Smith, Ronald “Sam” (Tammy) Ragan, Mike Ragan, Russell Ragan, Richelle (John) Hicks, Eric (Tera) Ragan; dear brother to Nancy (Ron) Moore; 14 grandchildren; 10+ great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He grew up in Harrisville, PA and attended Harrisville High School where he was active in basketball, baseball, chorus, orchestra, and various other athletic and social clubs.
Ronald served in the US Navy from 1952-1956 as a Machinist Mate 2nd class before returning to Pennsylvania. Following his departure from the US Navy, Ronald began his career as a Tool and Die Maker with Cooper-Bessemer Corporation. At which time he relocated his family to Wilmington in 1969, where he began his career with General Electric, working in both Nuclear and Aviation businesses before retiring in 1996. During his career Ronald served as President of the Reactor Club, President of the General Electric Employee Activity Club (GEEAC) for 15 years, and taught machine operator courses at General Electric and Cape Fear Community College.
He loved participating in bowling, golf leagues, and coordinating work-sponsored events in the community. His passion was his corn cob pipe, the Pittsburg Steelers, and his coffee. His most cherished of all was his relationship with his extend and immediate family.

A celebration of his life will be held from 5-7 pm on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 2 pm at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation with interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1311 Shipyard Blvd., Wilmington NC 28401.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Post a Condolence” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403
910.791.9099

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  • September 02, 2021
    Graham Davis says:
    I worked with Ron ( The Governor ) at GE. What a great guy to know and work with. My condolences to the family.

  • September 04, 2021
    Barb Clark says:
    You will always be in my heart Uncle Ron love you forever,

  • September 04, 2021
    Dave & Denyse Kmiec says:
    Ron was a great co-worker and friend. He will be sorely missed by everyone. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

  • September 05, 2021
    Terry A Snyder says:
    Mr. Ragan, was a very good fellow, I always enjoyed talking to him about our Navy days. He was a skimmer sailor and I was a submarine sailor. I sure am going to miss him, I was thinking about him just a day or two ago.