Marvin (Bud) Roy Ragland, Sr.

Marvin (Bud) Roy Ragland, Sr., age 91, died peacefully of heart complications on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Louisiana Veterans Home in Jackson, Louisiana. Guided throughout his entire life by his values of faith, family, friends and country, Bud was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A proud veteran with a very big personality, Bud brought humor and lots of candy to the residents and staff of the Veterans home. His strong faith in Christ, deep love of family and sharp mind sustained him in the final years of his long, loving life.

Bud was a people person and natural storyteller who loved to share stories of his adventurous life. Born in Lake Providence, LA to William "Bill" and Cora Lee Ragland, he was one of seven children, and his childhood was spent farming and tending the cattle herd. In high school, Bud excelled at sports despite his early morning and end of day responsibilities to the farm and livestock. He played basketball at Tulane before transferring to LSU, where he became a lifelong, ardent Tiger fan. One particular passion which led to many captivating stories was his years participating in rodeos and bull riding.

Bud was a farmer all his life, first in "the Bend" of Lake Providence before moving to British Honduras, now Belize, and then to Brazil to manage large scale rice plantations. He managed a farming operation in Puerto Rico for a number of years before moving back to farm in South Louisiana. He was an avid hunter and a private pilot in his earlier years. He was a mentor to many in the farming industry and took great pleasure in encouraging others of all walks of life. He truly never met a stranger and always left a big impression on those he met.

Bud is preceded in death by his beloved first wife, Margaret Anne "Peggy" Schwartz Ragland of 33 years. Together they created a loving, close-knit family of three children, Marvin, Jr. "Buddy", and his wife Lauren, who loved and cared for Bud as if he were her own father, of Baton Rouge; Mary Frances "Fran" King (Kirwan), of Warsaw, VA; and Margaret Anne "Meg" Smeck (John), of Phoenix, AZ. He was the proud grandfather to Grace Ragland, Tay King Dolan (Eddie) and Martin King (Katie); and Allison (Nicole), Sadie, Jack (Miranda) and Stuart Smeck. To his great joy, he had three great-grandchildren, Abigail and Margot Dolan and Holly King. Bud also is preceded in death by his second wife, Ann Morgan, and five of his brothers and sisters and their spouses. He is survived by his sister, Jeannie Lorren (L.R. "Pug," deceased), and his sister-in-law, Carrie Little Schwartz (Herman Schwartz, deceased). "Uncle Bud" was loved by his extended family of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in his name to a charity of your choosing. Bud will be most remembered for his unyielding optimism in all circumstances and will be missed by all who knew him. His wish was simply to be known as "A Man."