Dick Ragan

Dick Emmett Ragan, age 89, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, October 18, 2018, in his Midland home. Dick was born March 1, 1929 to Dick Emmett Ragan Sr. and Lellie Vye Ragan in Odessa, TX. Dick graduated from Odessa High in 1947 and was known by his classmates as the “fastest man on two wheels”. He began racing motorcycles competitively in 1948, which he was successful in, as evidenced by the 50+ trophies that still line a long hallway in his home. Dick didn’t let racing interfere with his education, as he earned a business degree from Odessa College after graduating high school. Time management was never a problem for him; he worked hard and played harder. And his love for riding was something he just couldn’t shake.Dick hung up his helmet briefly when he met the love of his life, Doni Baumann, whom he married on November 26^th, 1958. They shared a passion for travel and were able to take many trips together across the country and the globe. The pair was particularly fond of train travel and took the train as often as they could. Dick’s last train ride was in 2015, and took him from Alpine, TX to Los Angeles to Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans and back, with his son Scott and grandson Taner by his side.Dick’s love for trains was only surpassed by his first love: the motorcycle. Though he gave up competitive riding after starting a family, he enjoyed frequent rides with his biker buddies, including an annual trip to South Dakota for the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He rode his Harley Davidson until he was almost 80 years old.His interests didn’t stop there, as he was an enthusiastic camper, kayaker, hiker, and fisherman at the Rio Grande, Big Bend National Park, and many others. During the rest of the year, Dick was an avid snow skier, and took advantage of quick trips to Ski Apache in New Mexico on the weekends. Undoubtedly, outside was his favorite place to be. He was also a volunteer at Midland Community Theatre and was a friendly face behind the bar at Summer Mummers for many years. Dick was a devout member of Grace Lutheran Church for over 50 years, where he was an elder and trustee, served on the board of stewardship, and was in the choir.Many people got to share in the privilege of seeing Dick wear hundreds of various “tacky” ties throughout his life. He had neckties for any and every occasion, and he loved to pair them with a jacket that almost certainly clashed whichever one he chose to wear that day. His sense of humor was one of the many things we will miss about our beloved father, grandfather, and friend.Dick will likely be remembered by most Midlanders for serving generations of customers at Ski Skeller Sports since 1969. He loved going to work every day, and even after he “retired” in 1997, he continued to come to work Monday through Saturday until 2012. Dick always kept $2 bills in the register at Ski Skeller (a tradition that still standing), because he considered them “lucky” and enjoyed seeing the smiles on customers’ faces when he handed them out. If the walls of Ski Skeller (could talk,) they would tell some incredible stories of laughter and adventure. If the antique signs, old beer cans, model trains, hundreds of photos, and other collectibles and memorabilia strewn about the shop’s (walls could talk) they would tell us that Dick’s life was a life well-lived.He is loved and will be missed by so many, his family most of all. He is survived by his son, Scott (wife Gina), daughter Marjorie (husband Pete Mills), sister Joann (husband Dean Henson), grandchildren Taner, Kortni (husband Austin Jeske), David Thomas, Nick Crumrine, and Michael Howk, great-granddaughter Victoria Claire Jeske. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Doni and son David.The family would like to thank his longtime caregiver Delores Clay.The family will receive friends on Monday, October 22, 2018 from 6:00PM-8:00PM at The Branch at npw, 3800 N. Big Spring St. Midland. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 1:00PM at Grace Lutheran Church, 3000 W Golf Course RD, Midland.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lone Star Sanctuary for Animals, 4200 N. Fairgrounds Rd, Midland, TX 79705 or to Grace Lutheran Building Fund, 3000 W. Golf Course Rd., Midland, TX 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,