Ragan Hughes Spooner, Jr.

Ragan "Ray" Spooner, a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, and lifelong servant to his community, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024. Born February 12, 1946, and raised in Richland Hills, Texas, Ray led a remarkable life filled with service, love, and dedication.

Ray was married to the love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Spooner, for 36 years. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and giving back to their community.

A proud Eagle Scout by the age of 18, Ray's early achievements set the stage for a lifetime of service. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington and began a distinguished career with LTV, Vought Aircraft, Northrop Grumman, and Triumph Aerostructures. His more than thirty-year career took him to Grand Prairie, Texas; Long Beach, California; Everett, Washington; Japan and Chengdu, China, where he contributed to significant projects before retiring.

Ray was an active leader in various organizations. As president of the HEB Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), he championed community initiatives. His faith was central to his life, and he served his local Methodist Church with dedication. He and Pat shared a passion for helping animals, fostering, and adopting many Golden Retrievers through the North Texas Golden Retriever Rescue. Their home was always filled with wagging tails and unconditional love. Ray enjoyed volunteering with Kids Against Hunger of Tarrant County, especially alongside his daughter, Denise, and granddaughters, Morgan and Amanda.

Ray's greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Denise Buckner (and husband, Mark) and Stephanie Spooner (and husband, Nolan Ardrey), and an adoring grandfather to Morgan Buckner, who is completing her undergraduate degree at Trinity University in San Antonio, and Amanda Buckner, who recently began her college journey at Texas A&M University in College Station. Ray spoke of their accomplishments with boundless pride and joy to everyone he met.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Ragan H. Spooner, Sr.; his mother, Helen Ballard; his stepfather, Robert C. Ballard, Jr.; his brothers-in-law, James Douglas and Frank Nance. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pat; his daughters, Denise and Stephanie; and their mother, Janice Spooner; his sons-in-law, Mark and Nolan; his granddaughters, Morgan and Amanda; his sister, Joann Nance; his brother, Robert C. Ballard, III (Marji Raunikar), and his brother, Charles S. Ballard, (Amelita Ballard), many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.

Ray's life was a testament to the values of hard work, service, and love. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him, and his legacy of kindness and dedication will live on through his family and the many lives he touched.

A Celebration of Ray's life will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM at St. John the Apostle United Methodist Church, 5450 Mansfield Rd, Arlington, TX 76017.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Kids Against Hunger of Tarrant County, the North Texas Golden Retriever Rescue, or the Salvation Army.