Raymond Ragsdale

Raymond Gene Ragsdale, son of the late Ray Theodore and Neva Agnes (Nail) Ragsdale, was born January 15, 1932, in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He went to his heavenly home on November 9, 2025, at the age of 93.

Raymond attended grade school at the Murr School House and went on to graduate from Cabool High School in 1950. After graduation he was drafted in the United States Navy where he proudly served in the Korean War for four years on the USS Duncan. Following his honorable discharge, he relocated to the Kansas City area.

In 1956, Raymond went on a blind date that would forever change his life, it was there he met the love of his life, Wanda Lee Fitzpatrick. Within five months, he proposed and married her, beginning a 68 year journey. Together, he and Wanda started their family and were blessed with two children, Debra Lee and Danny Ray.

As a father, Raymond helped raise their family in Kansas City, where he worked many years for Van Keppel Company. He then retired from Van Keppel Company and decided to move to the family farmstead to start a dairy farm and carry on the family legacy in 1979. Upon returning to Mountain Grove, Raymond started a career with Mid-Am Dairy. Together, he and Wanda built a life they loved through their hard work and faith in the Lord. Raymond enjoyed their family vacations to National Parks and road trips filled with laughter and love.

In his retirement years, Raymond enjoyed spending time with his family at their lake house filled with love, lots of laughter and priceless memories. Through those years, Debra and Danny watched their father become a grandfather. “Grandpa Fluffy” to some and “Grandpa Ray” to the others, he was considered the heart of the family to all. He taught his grandchildren how to call a cow to the grain bucket, the story of every arrowhead that he had found, and he educated them on the history of the tri-county area of the farm. He also taught them respect like, “no running in the house!” Each grandchild knew how much he loved them, “his babies.” The kiss on the cheek, the hug on the patio, and the wave goodbye was always the hardest goodbye, until now...

In time, he would become a great-grandpa. To witness the joy on his face each time he was introduced to a new great-grandchild was heart-warming. All of the great-grandchildren knew that he was one of their biggest fans. He was always rooting for them and asking about their latest hobbies or sports games. The great-grandchildren also knew that they could get away with running in the house! With each title he earned, he loved everyone unconditionally. He loved each one through their accomplishments and supported them through difficult moments.

Raymond loved his sports teams: KU basketball, KC Chiefs, and it was often a toss-up between the Royals and Cardinals. The one team that always had his heart, was his basketball team, the Lady Bears. He supported all of his teams by wearing their hats with pride.

Raymond Gene was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a cherished friend to many. He took pride in his great work ethic, the life he built and the love he gave to the people that knew him. He was kind and didn't know a stranger, he was humble in his way of living life and boy, was he ornery. His legacy will live on through all who were touched by his life.

Raymond is survived by the love of his life of 68 years, Wanda Ragsdale; his children, Debra (Ragsdale) Atwell and Danny Ragsdale; his grandchildren, Danice (Jon) Laster, Jamie (Ryan) Holton, Dustin (Christi) Ragsdale, Megan (Mitch) Reed, Loni (Kyle) Ridenhour, and Tara Ragsdale; and his fourteen great-grandchildren.