Dr. Robert Alan Ragland, otherwise known as "Rags Ragland" of Sikeston, Missouri, born on August 10, 1939 in DuQuoin, Illinois, to the late Virginia Ragland and the late Robert Lee Ragland, passed away at age 79 on March 23, 2019 in Cumming, Georgia. After spending almost 50 years living a marvelous life in Laguna Hills, Southern California, he had recently moved to Cumming, Georgia to live with his beloved son who he enjoyed spending time with during the last few months of his life. Even though the time was cut way too short, the last 4 months were precious beyond words.
Robert was an extremely well educated man who graduated from the following schools: Tulane University School of Medicine, Southwest University for graduate school, University of Florida for graduate school, Southeast Missouri State College, Saddleback College, San Bernardino Valley College and Sikeston High School. Robert never stopped learning and would constantly strive to grow in knowledge, skill and expertise in all things he became interested in.
Robert honorably and with great pride served our country as a Combat Veteran and Navy Frogman / Navy Seal from 1959 to 1962 during the Vietnam War. He also served in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1964 in the Fleet Marine Force as a front line corpsman.
He was the former husband of Veronica Ragland who he loved dearly and the beloved partner of Marie Bishop and was preceded in death by his 2 Rottweilers, Zena and Rocky along with his 2 dachshunds Precious 1 and Precious 2. Robert is survived by his only child and son, Sean Alan Ragland, who would declare and tell the world that there could be no better father or dad. Robert and his son were best friends and their relationship was admired by many. Robert leaves a legacy of great pride in the Ragland name and honor to be carried out by his son.
He enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, camping, he was an outdoors enthusiast, woodworking genius, wrote amazing poems and literature, truly a world class loving father, loving husband, loyal friend and companion. Robert was a servant leader to all, and strove to make a difference in the lives of everyone he met. He enjoyed sunsets at the beach and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and was recognized as an All-American Football star, honored to serve on the coaching staff for wrestling in the 1972 Olympics and an all around stud. A man’s man. A true dude.
Some of his professional accomplishments included being a board member of the California Athletic Trainers Association, a chairman of the National Athletic Trainers Association, and a member of Who's Who World Wide International College of Chiropractic and New York Academy of Science. Highly decorated and honored in just about all areas of focus.
The family asks that donations in Robert's name be made to the Diabetes Foundation and are welcome and appreciated because the only thing that ever knocked him down was the horrible disease of Diabetes.
The family will be honored to greet friends and family and they can pay their respects at the visitation on Friday, March 29 from 11:30 till time of service at 12PM in the Chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, Georgia 30040. Interment will follow at the graveside service from 2:30 to 3:00 PM at the Georgia National Cemetery, 2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane, Canton, Georgia, 30114 where full military honors will be enjoyed and our final salutes will be made.