Keith Wesley Ragan

Ragan, Keith Wesley
87, of Paradise Valley, AZ passed away at his home on May 9, 2011. Keith was born on January 15, 1924 in Atlanta, Illinois to Edith Branan Ragan and the Rev. Raye Ragan, a Methodist minister. After one semester of college, he enlisted in the US Army and served in England, France and Germany in 1943 to 1945. Upon returning home, he enrolled at DePauw University, in Indiana, graduating in 1948. He then entered Law school at Northwestern University where he was editor of the Law Review and earned a JD degree in 1951. He moved to Phoenix in 1954 and began his practice of law with Jennings Strouss. He was active with the local Democratic Party and was president of the Young Democrats when he met his soon to be law partner, William H. Rehnquist who was active with the Young Republicans. They formed the firm of Ragan and Rehnquist, merging after a couple of years with Cunningham Carson and Messenger, where Keith spent the next fifty plus years practicing law. He retired from Carson Messenger Elliott Laughlin and Ragan, as it became known, in 2001. Keith was an early and active member of Cross Roads United Methodist Church and later a member of Shadow Rock United Church of Christ. Keith's passion was tennis which he played throughout his life - until the last year or so. To tennis friends he was known as "The Assassin" for his quickness at net. Keith is survived by his wife, Rayne (Lorraine Gutz): sons, David Wesley, Peter Jeffrey and John Raye Ragan: daughter, Susan Lorraine (Greg) Steinhilber: Six grandchildren, Tyler and Kinley Ragan, Alec, Eden, Chloe and Sara Steinhilber: brothers, Rex and Roger (Carol Chan) Ragan of California: and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Raye Ragan; stepmother, Esther Stevens Ragan; sister, Betty Rae Ragan Whitlock; and niece, Erin Rae Whitlock Schnoor. A casual Celebration Luncheon will be held at The Church of the Beatitudes, Nelson Hall, 7th Avenue and Glendale, Phoenix, at noon on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Arrangements were beautifully handled by Hansen Mortuaries. Memorial gifts in honor of Keith may be sent to Southwest Conference United Church of Christ, Youth Camping at 4423 N. 24th St. Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
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