Obituary of George C. Ragan

Mr. George Carter "G.C." Ragan, Jr., age 73, of Hickory Lane, Boone, passed away Tuesday morning January 15, 2008 at Watauga Medical Center. Born in Watauga County March 30, 1934, he was a son of the late George Carter Ragan, Sr., and Maud Grogan Ragan. He graduated from Elkland High School in Todd, NC and received a Master's degree in Technology and Education from Appalachian State University in 1965. He served in the US Navy for four years. He was a member of Deerfield United Methodist Church, and was one of the founders of Santa's Toy Box and a former member of the Jaycees. George was a member of the Watauga County Board of Education from 1978 until 1984 and was employed as the first Vocational Education Director for Watauga County Schools in 1965; he later was an Associate Professor in the Department of technology at ASU. George was a licensed building contractor and owned and operated a building supply company and real estate business from 1971 until 1990. George was employed by the Town of Boone as a Development Facilitator and retired from the Watauga County Board of Education as Construction Coordinator in 2001. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Wilma Moretz Ragan, two sons; Jeffrey Lynn Ragan and Gregory George Ragan both of Boone, two grandchildren; Blake Richard Ragan and Brooke Abigail Ragan, a daughter in law, Teri Pfeiffer Ragan of Hampstead, NC, two sisters; Paris Ragan Winebarger and Helen Ragan Brown both of Boone, one brother, Robert "Bob" Ragan of Greensboro, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Dee Ragan Cooke. Funeral services for Mr. George Carter Ragan, Jr. will be conducted Friday at noon at Deerfield United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Jeff Sweeney and Rev. Barry Raker. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10 o'clock until noon in the church fellowship hall. The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to the Deerfield United Methodist Church Building Fund or to the Deerfield Relay for Life Team, Post Office Box 1337, Boone, NC 28607. On line condolences may be sent to the Ragan family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ragan family.