John Clyde Ragan

John Clyde Ragan, 89, of Eden, North Carolina passed away peacefully at North Pointe of Mayodan on May 1, 2025.

Born on May 6 in 1935 in Watauga County in the Meat Camp community. John was the eleventh of twelve children. He graduated from Appalachian High School in 1954 and graduated from Appalachian State University in 1963 with a major in Education and a minor in Mathematics. From 1955 to 1959, he served in the United States Navy as a Communications Officer and was stationed in San Diego and Honolulu. John spent 28 of his 30 years in teaching working for Rockingham County Schools, at Leaksville-Spray Junior High School and at Holmes Junior High School. He taught agriculture, math and physical education, coached the baseball and golf teams, and managed attendance and textbooks. He was widely respected for his dedication and his hardworking nature.

John married Fern Eldreth on August 21, 1963. They were married for 62 years. John was a caring husband, father and grandfather, and was an active member of Spray United Methodist Church and Leaksville United Methodist Church. He served as President of the Eden Civitan and Kiwanis Clubs. He dedicated his time teaching the Men’s Bible Class at LUMC and doing odd jobs, such as mowing the lawn. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army. He loved being outdoors: playing golf, gardening, swimming, and fishing. He also enjoyed listening to bluegrass, watching baseball and basketball, and eating lemon pie. He took great pride in his rosebushes and in making a hole-in-one at the Meadow Greens Country Club.

He is survived by his wife, Fern Ragan; his daughter Amy (Cary); grandchildren, Sophie and Ian, his sister, Nancy Sue Price, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, D. S. and Fannie Ragan, his five brothers (Lloyd, David, Jesse, Orville, and Joe) and five sisters (Kathleen, Margaret, Annie, Grace, and an infant sister).

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, on what would have been his 90th birthday. The visitation and service will be held at Leaksville United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 1-2pm, with the service beginning at 2pm. A graveside ceremony will follow at Ridgeway Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s name to Leaksville United Methodist Church or to Meals on Wheels America.

John’s kindness, expansive generosity of spirit, and mischievous sense of humor will be deeply missed but remembered with love by his friends and family.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com