Robert Wasson Ragan

Robert Wasson Ragan, 89, died peacefully on December 21, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was a gentleman, cowboy, faithful church attender, and honorable husband and father. His favorite pastimes were training horses, calf-roping, and country western dancing.

Robert was born in Haskell, Texas to Rex Lanier Ragan and Dorothy Wasson on November 15, 1933. He grew up in Big Spring and graduated from BSHS in 1951. He married Charlene Shuff in Sweetwater, Texas on September 2, 1959, and recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. He worked his entire career in the oil and gas industry, selling drilling bits for the Security Engineering Division of Dresser Industries Inc. He retired in 1997.

Robert developed his passion for horses and calf-roping from his grandfather Ira “Papa” Wasson, a pioneer rancher in southwestern Borden County. He and Cousin Ronald learned to ride and rope while working on the ranches. Robert was called “Sonny” by family and close friends. After Robert began working for Security Engineering, and could afford a good roping horse and trailer, he pursued his interests in calf-roping and horse-training in earnest. In later years, he actively participated in senior “old-timer” rodeo associations and traveled back and forth across Texas, developing lifelong friendships in the process. Robert was inducted into the Heritage Museum of Big Spring’s Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2017.

Robert is survived by his wife Charlene; three children: Becky Ragan Williams (Stewart), Amy Ragan Burchett (Carey), and Charles Robert Ragan (Amy); six grandsons: Brady Ragan Williams, Tucker Wasson Williams, Paden McGehee Williams (Shannon), Foster Robert Burchett (Jordan), Trevor Wayne Burchett (Taylor), and Brooks Robert Ragan; three great grandchildren: Trace Wayne Burchett, Foster Boyd Burchett, and Tatum Ragan Burchett.

Robert was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Wasson Ragan, sister Billilee “Bee” Ragan Carr, and grandfather Ira Elmo Wasson.

Family will receive visitors at Fellowship Hall in the First United Methodist Church, 400 Scurry St, on Wednesday, December 28th at 10:00 am. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am in the sanctuary. Private family internment will be held at Trinity Memorial Park following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s memory to Food 2 Kids, PO Box 1641, Big Spring Texas 79720 or to the First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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