Retired SFC Johnny Dale "Bud" Ragsdale Obituary (1967 - 2017)

Retired Army Sergeant First Class Johnny Dale "Bud" Ragsdale, 49, of Dover, died Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at UAMS Hospital in Little Rock, AR. The beloved son of Johnny Lynn Ragsdale and the late Pirley Nan Harris Ledford, he was born September 27, 1967, in Russellville. He was a Dover High School graduate, and earned an associate's degree from UACCM. He married Shery Ann Ragsdale, on January 22, 2011, at Eureka Springs. Johnny served for 22 years in active service with the United States Army in Desert Storm, and two deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom. After retiring from active duty, Johnny worked as a millwright in the nuclear industry, and helping his father in the family business, Ragsdale Auction Service, in Dover. He was a Mason and enjoyed hunting, fishing, mowing, and hanging out on the farm with family and friends. Through relationships Johnny has made over the years in service to his country, he has amassed a large number of friends and associates who will miss his dedication, leadership and friendship. He was preceded in death by his mother; and grandparents Willard & Rosetta Ragsdale, and Bert & Dora Harris. Johnny is survived by a large and loving family that meant the world to him, including his wife of six years, Shery A. Ragsdale of Dover; his friend & father, Johnny Lynn Ragsdale, of Dover; a daughter, Hannah Ragsdale of Russellville; three step-sons, Ralph Reid (Anjum) of St. Petersburg, FL; William Reid and Tyler Reid, both of Dover; two sisters, Connie Ragsdale and Kathy Snow (Doug), both of Dover; his grandson, Blake Reid of Centerville; and his lifetime best friend, Harold Daniel Utley, of Dover. A Graveside Memorial Service to celebrate his life and sacrificial service to our country will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, September 16, 2017, at Owens Cemetery, Dover, with full military honors bestowed by the Army detail out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Rev. Jerry Vinson will officiate; and Keith Walters and Thorin Scienze will share meaningful reflections of their lives & friendship with Johnny. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. The family looks forward to expressing love and appreciation for the support & encouragement of many family and friends during visitation, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Friday, September 15, in the funeral home chapel. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, monetary donations be made to the General Post Fund #2075, to support the needs of Veterans in providing a covered area near the fishing pond area; C/O Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 4300 West 7th, Little Rock Arkansas 72205.