As I struggle with some difficult professional and personal challenges today, I sure wish you were here to offer me some much needed advice. You are greatly missed old friend

Houston was my neighbor for a few years and I liked sitting and just shooting the breeze with him now and then. He was an interesting man and I was saddened to hear of his passing.  He dealt with his disability in a way I sure couldn't. I hope he is at peace and in a better place.

Love you Houston I'll remember you always, Bob Baxter we grew up as Neighbors and Brothers together, I'm so sorry!

Mr. Ragan was my Guidance counselor at HLHS. I was fortunate to work in his office Senior year. He was the one who encouraged me to take honors classes. I can truly say had it not been for him my whole high school experience and memories at HLHS would have been totally different. Thank you Mr. Ragan! Rest In Peace.

To the family of Mr. Ragan, I am so sorry for your loss at this time.  He was probably one of my favorite co workers at HLHS.  His matter of fact, spit fire ways and sense of humor will be greatly missed!

Dottianne Pitzer

There are no words adequate to express how influential you were in my life, Houston. Your intelligence & wisdom  lifted me up many times when I felt overwhelmed at Hunters Lane. You were my sounding board. You always had a unique gift for stripping away all of the non essentials of any dilemma & striking right at the heart of it. You were brutally honest & hysterically funny with your caustic wit & wry observations. I always trusted your advice because I knew if you cared enough to say it, you meant it. I liked to tease you that calling you was like rattling Oscar the Grouch'Trash can but I will miss your sarcastic commentary more than I can say. I loved & admired you Houston-you were 1 of a kind. I hope you are running through heaven wreaking havoc for the angels

There are a few people, outside of my family, who hold a place of deep endearment in my heart and soul.  Mr. Ragan is one of those people.  I will miss him immensely ...but will keep his voice in my head...demanding me to be better.

Rest in peace Houston.  You were a great classmate and a great inspiration to everyone that knew you.

Houston LOVED being a School Counselor and was a true BLESSING to everyone that he touched...He is resting.  May God say to to him, "Well done, thou good and faithful Servant!"

Ragan was one the first people to welcome Olivia to Maplewood. He gave solid advice for Freshman year.

During my high school years, Mr. Ragan was perhaps the only encouraging, positive adult in my life. I wasn't thankful for him back then but I am now.

MR.RAGAN, HE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL.I TAUGHT SP.ED AT HLHS.SEEING HIM EVERYDAY IN THAT WHEELCHAIR GAVE MY STUDENTS HOPE.HE WILL BE MISS BY MANY.

I was prividgledged to have worked with him for 15 plus years. He was an advocate for students and his sense of humor was unique. He will be missed.

Mr. Ragan's graveside service will follow the visitation on Monday. It is open to anyone who would like to attend.

I was an office worker for Mr. Ragan throughout high school.  I can still hear him say "Roll with me, Holly."  And I think of him every time I hear 'I don't wanna work, I want to bang on the drum all day'-that was the theme song he assigned to me-apparently I wasn't the greatest office worker-hahaha.  So sorry to hear of his passing, he was a great inspiration to many.  He made me realize that just because things are tough, you don't give up.

Occasionally I meet someone that inspires me, and Houston was one of those few. A very kind and gentle man, that was a positive influence on many.

I must say "I'll see you  later" to my friend of 35+ years. He was "Ghost", I was "Giddy-Up-Go". He was a true pal to me and my family.

The Tanners

Houston was my dear friend, colleague, and inspiration for the past  thirty years.  He will be missed by all who ever knew him.  God bless, your suffering is over.

Houston was my friend, colleague, and inspiration for thirty years.  He will be missed by all who every met or knew him.
Richard Brown

Mr. Ragan was one of a kind! He touched the lives of so many especially mine! Praying for his family.

Was a very cool teacher and guidance counselor at HLHS. REST WITH THE ANGELS.

I taught at HLHS with Houston for many years.  He was a wonderful, funny guy.  He gave my 4 year old peppermint sticks when he came to visit one day.  That 4 year old is now 28!  He still remembers how sweet Houston was to him. Rest in peace, Houston.

Mr. Ragan was a very understanding person. He will be truly missed. Prayers goes out to his family at this time.

This man was such a great man! He loved everyone.  My mother remembers going to school with him before his accident in wrestling that paralyzed him.

We'll all miss Mr. Ragan at Maplewood. He was an inspiration to me and my daughter Fiona who has been in a wheelchair all her life. Seeing Mr. Ragan so active throughout the school always gave me so much hope for her future.

Houston was my good friend at HLHS.  He could always make me laugh.  He will be missed.

OBITUARY

William "Houston" Ragan Jr.

May 28, 1952 – July 10, 2014

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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