He was born in Graham, Texas September 10, 1926. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mary Edna Ragland; sister Betty Adams of the Woodlands, Texas; and wife Nettie Jo Nickols-Ragland. He is survived by two daughters: Rhonda and husband Prentice Widlake of Graham, Texas, and Fran Sanchez-Leal of Wichita Falls, Texas; four grandchildren: Jennifer Armstrong and Amber Herring of Graham, Texas; Andrea Davis of Fort Worth; Lisa Maynard of Ponder, Texas; and great-grandchildren: Audrey, Wade and Eric, Lainey and Astor.
Frank graduated from Graham High School in 1943 and then joined the Navy Air Corps in World War II from 1944 until 1947. Then he attended Texas A&M where he received his Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering in 1950. He was honored to return to his Alma Mater annually numerous times to give recruitment speeches for his chosen career. After that he worked for the Texas Highway Department in Wichita Falls, Texas from 1950-1987.
Frank enjoyed hunting, golfing and spending summers in Colorado. One of his passions was deer hunting. He loved being out at the deer lease. He was most passionate about golfing, and cherished a trophy that he won at a tournament. After his retirement in 1987 he was an avid square dancer and worked for various charity organizations. He also greatly loved spending time enjoying his great-grandchildren and grandchildren and his two girls, Rhonda and Fran.
Frank loved volunteering at Wichita Falls State Hospital many years ago, before it was renamed North Texas State Hospital. He was a member of the Optimist Club and enjoyed his yearly participation working at their Christmas Tree lot and visiting with friends and families as they chose their family’s Christmas Tree. He was a member of First Christian Church on Taft, and served as a Deacon there for many years. He enjoyed playing tennis, was a long distance swimmer and loved teaching his oldest daughter Rhonda to become a strong swimmer, too. He was a champion boxer in his weight class while in the Naval Air Corps. In later years he enjoyed seeing friends at high school reunions for Graham High School. In his later years he loved visiting and sharing lunch with old friends and new ones at the Red Door/The Kitchen. He loved talking with people and definitely never met a stranger. It was important to him to remember people’s names and what he had learned about them and their families. Two friends and coworkers he cherished were Bill Presson, Sr., and Sammy Milam.
His passion and talent in life was solving a problem or accomplishing a goal. He would not give up until he had done his best to accomplish any goal on which he had focused. His two daughters and family knew this well. His philosophy in life was, “If you haven’t solved your problem, then you haven’t examined it enough from enough different angles.”
Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His great smile and vibrant personality will be missed by his friends and family and all who knew him.
Memorial contributions may be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab for their years of excellent care. The family expressed gratitude to the countless nurses, Social Worker Mack Painter for his assistance during frequent communications and often additional business work hours regarding their dad. The family also expressed appreciation to Hospice of Wichita Falls for their outstanding care of Dad at the end.
Online condolences may be shared at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com.
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