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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James Wesley
Ragsdale
January 24, 1918 – June 27, 2010
Obituary
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James Wesley Ragsdale, 92, known to many as "Wes", died on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at Ashtabula County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born January 24, 1918 in San Saba, TX, the son of Steven and Stella (Dendy) Ragsdale and had been a Jefferson, OH resident since 2008 after living in Tuscola, IL for 50 years.
Wes earned his bachelor's degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and later his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as an insurance agent and previously was a research chemist at Monsanto, Texas City, TX and USI Tuscola, IL.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II. Wes was awarded the following medals while serving his country: Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
A very gentle man, he loved his family and enjoyed classical music, gardening and traveling with his wife, Carolyn, playing cards, and visiting with his morning coffee buddies. An avid sports fan, he was loyal to the St. Louis Cardinals and his beloved University of Illinois "Fighting Illini." A member of the Tuscola United Methodist Church, he was an usher and served on many committees. He was a member of Rotary and a past president of the Tuscola School Board.
His survivors include two children, Kent (Cathy) Ragsdale of Cedar Rapids, IA and Jill (Don) Cole of Jefferson, OH; five grandchildren, Clint Cole of St. Charles, MO, Meredith Cole of Jefferson, OH, Josh (Cassie) Cole of Perryville, MO, Chris (Gina) Ragsdale of Aurora, IL and Katie (Charlie) Nguyen of Dallas, TX; one great-grandchild, Nicholas Ragsdale; and one sister, Stella Miller of Overland Park, KS.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn (Carrico) on February 3, 2005; his brother, William Ragsdale; and his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Hilligoss-Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL with full military honors. Rev. Patty Johansen, Pastor of Tuscola United Methodist Church, will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Tuscola United Methodist Church Columbarium.
No calling hours will be observed.
Memorials are suggested to the Tuscola United Methodist Church Building Fund, 901 North Prairie Street, Tuscola, Ill 61953
He was born January 24, 1918 in San Saba, TX, the son of Steven and Stella (Dendy) Ragsdale and had been a Jefferson, OH resident since 2008 after living in Tuscola, IL for 50 years.
Wes earned his bachelor's degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and later his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as an insurance agent and previously was a research chemist at Monsanto, Texas City, TX and USI Tuscola, IL.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II. Wes was awarded the following medals while serving his country: Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
A very gentle man, he loved his family and enjoyed classical music, gardening and traveling with his wife, Carolyn, playing cards, and visiting with his morning coffee buddies. An avid sports fan, he was loyal to the St. Louis Cardinals and his beloved University of Illinois "Fighting Illini." A member of the Tuscola United Methodist Church, he was an usher and served on many committees. He was a member of Rotary and a past president of the Tuscola School Board.
His survivors include two children, Kent (Cathy) Ragsdale of Cedar Rapids, IA and Jill (Don) Cole of Jefferson, OH; five grandchildren, Clint Cole of St. Charles, MO, Meredith Cole of Jefferson, OH, Josh (Cassie) Cole of Perryville, MO, Chris (Gina) Ragsdale of Aurora, IL and Katie (Charlie) Nguyen of Dallas, TX; one great-grandchild, Nicholas Ragsdale; and one sister, Stella Miller of Overland Park, KS.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn (Carrico) on February 3, 2005; his brother, William Ragsdale; and his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Hilligoss-Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL with full military honors. Rev. Patty Johansen, Pastor of Tuscola United Methodist Church, will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Tuscola United Methodist Church Columbarium.
No calling hours will be observed.
Memorials are suggested to the Tuscola United Methodist Church Building Fund, 901 North Prairie Street, Tuscola, Ill 61953
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