John Ragsdale

DOVER, Ark. -- John Gaylon Ragsdale, 77, of Dover died Friday, March 25, 2005, at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was born July 18, 1927, in Bullfrog Valley, Ark., son of John and Ada Hutchins Ragsdale. He and Norma Joy Smithee were married July 28, 1988, in Bullfrog Valley.

Ragsdale was a farmer.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Brenda Propst of Sikeston, Mo., Karen Sherrill of Arcadia, Mo.; two stepsons, Gene and Terry Ragsdale of Dover; two sisters, Betty Oliver of Daniel, Wyo., Shirley Crites of Marble Hill, Mo.; two brothers, Burl Ragsdale of Millersville, Rusty Ragsdale of Watervliet, Mich.; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Friends may call at Humphrey Funeral Home in Russellville, Ark., from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Matthew Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Owens Cemetery at Dover.