Virgil Kent Ragsdale

Virgil Kent Ragsdale, Jr., known by all as Kent, was born on December 5, 1931, in Mangum, Oklahoma to Virgil Kent and Mildred Mae (Phinney) Ragsdale.

The year 1950 was a milestone for Kent. He graduated from Mangum High School, enlisted in the United States Army, and wed his true love, Betty Ann Williams on October 6th, while stationed in Louisiana at Camp Polk.

Kent served his country during the Korean War, receiving a medical discharge in 1952. He and Betty returned to southwest Oklahoma, where they built a life together and raised two beautiful children.

A lifelong learner, Kent earned an associate degree from Western Oklahoma State College before attending Cameron University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on hypnotherapy. A true jack of all trades, Kent and Betty worked at Ragsdale Bakery in 1956 - 1981. During that time, he also built a successful career in life insurance sales, earning membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, a recognition reserved for top professionals who meet exceptional performance and ethical standards. Later, he pursued his passion as a hypnotherapist, but to those who knew him best, Kent’s greatest work was sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Kent was a long-standing member of First Baptist Church in Altus, and in recent years also found home at Emmanuel Baptist Church. He valued health and fitness and found joy and peace in working the soil of his garden. Kent stepped into the arms of Jesus on Monday, August 11th, leaving behind a life led by faith, family, and hard work.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Betty; and his parents, Virgil and Mildred.

Those left to cherish his legacy of love and faith include his children, Wayne Allen Ragsdale and wife, Lisa and Cathy Ann Froelich and husband, Doug; grandchildren, Jason, Ryan, and Jared Ragsdale and Alisa and Michael Froelich; sixteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, August 15th, in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Army at the conclusion of the chapel service. Burial will immediately follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

The service livestream may be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1NTA5NDQ0NTM3NTg4MSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==. Online memorial tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.