B. Douglas Ragland

B. Ragland Obituary

B. DOUGLAS RAGLAND passed away on Saturday the 16th of February 2008, at the age of 96. He was born on the 26th of December 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri to Virgil H. and Flora Griffin Ragland, and was a long-time member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston. Douglas began his career with Humble Oil & Refining Company in 1933, shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Rice Institute in Houston. He served in various capacities with Humble, Standard Oil Company of New Jersey and Exxon until he retired after 35 years of service as Chief Engineer and Production Coordinator of Western Hemisphere Operations. As a registered professional engineer, Douglas was recognized throughout the petroleum industry for his contributions to the profession. Governor Price Daniel appointed Douglas a member of the Texas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers in 1961. He is listed in "Who's Who in Engineering", and was an active member of numerous engineering societies including the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers where he served as National Director (1961 -1963) and Vice President in 1964. As a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers he was awarded the John Franklin Carll Award in 1965 for outstanding achievements in his field as an innovator, educator and professional engineer. After taking early retirement from Humble, he and his son Ralph were partners for over 25 years in various business ventures including real estate development, consulting, construction and manufacturing. Together they founded Ragland Manufacturing Company (RACO), which manufactures and distributes commercial doors, door frames and partitioning components worldwide. Douglas designed and was the author of some 29 U. S. Patents, from directional drilling used in the oil field to the products manufactured by RACO. Douglas is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mary Hedrick Ragland; his son, B. Douglas Ragland, Jr.; and his sister Dorothy Ragland Tasto. He is survived by his son, Ralph Ragland, Sr. and his wife, Carole of League City; his grandchildren Ralph Ragland, Jr. and his wife Bridget of Pearland, and Jennifer Ragland Lowden and her husband Jeffrey of Wayne, Pennsylvania; his great grandchildren Andrew and Zachary Ragland and Scarlett Elizabeth Lowden; his brother, Griffin Ragland of Houston; as well as numerous other loving family members. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 20th of February 2008 in the library of Geo. H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. A funeral service will be conducted in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, at eleven o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 21st of February 2008 where the Rev. M. Eugene Vickrey will serve as officiant. Following the funeral service, a private graveside service will be held for the family at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that donations in his honor be directed to a charity of one's choice.

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Published by Houston Chronicle from Feb. 19 to Feb. 21, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for B. Ragland

8 Entries

Kay Tangney

February 26, 2008

Ralph and family,

Your Dad and Mom hired me over 25 years ago to work for them at RACO and it meant a lot to me to work for them both. They were genuine and hard working people and I admired them greatly. I remember sometimes on Saturdays when I would work in the office, they would let my kids come into their offices to visit and play. My kids still remember talking to them. We have customers today who still ask about the Raglands and I want you to know that they will be fondly remembered by many.

Maria Leal

February 20, 2008

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ann Noble

February 19, 2008

Please accept our condolences at the death of Douglas Ragland. We at the Moody Library of Houston Baptist University remember Mr. Ragland with great fondness. His kind generosity over many years of giving to us has enriched our library immensely. He was truly a generous donor to us, and we will always appreciate his kindness.

Ann Noble, Interim Director, Moody Library

Elizabeth Pence

February 19, 2008

Our sympathies are with you in your time of sorrow. I know that you took such good care of "Old Paw-Paw" and will miss him very much. Please let us know if we can be of any service.
Love,
Beth, David, Nicholas and Tara

Barbara Earhart

February 19, 2008

I moved to Texas 16 years ago and have been a loyal employee of RACO Interior Products. Thank you Mr. Ragland for starting the company and giving me and my family a safe and secure income for all these years.

Jeff Lowden

February 19, 2008

God bless

Jay Lowden

February 19, 2008

We are very sorry for your loss.

Dr. Jon H. Fleming

February 19, 2008

Dear Ralph and the Ragland Family -

It is with sadness that I read of your Dad's death in this morning's Chronicle. Having lost Durwood after a similarly long life a year ago, I know what you all are going though.

I remember your Dad quite well from our days together growing up at St. Luke's. As an adult living and working in Houston, I also remember his enormous reputation as a distinguished member of the learned profession of engineering.

Rather than just "being here", your Dad "made a difference" in the lives of numerous people, organizations and businesses (certainly including the Humble Oil and Refining Company).

You'll discover that the rich memories of your "life together" will soon overwhelm the grief there is today. That's one of God's miracles: Memory treats kindly.

Please know of the Fleming family's prayers for you and yours. This includes Mother, Pam, Marty and me.

Jon Hugh

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