Thomas Edward Ragan

Thomas Edward “Tom” Ragan, 90, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 7, 2025 of natural causes. He was born in Oxford, NC on October 9, 1934 to the late Broddie Edward Ragan and Annie May Dean Gilbert and was the husband to his beautiful bride of 63 years, the late Jessie M. Ragan. He is survived by his children, Steven E. Ragan (Elizabeth) and Connie L. Ragan (Katrina Benton); grandchildren, Christopher Ragan, Brandon Ragan (Paige), Andrew Ragan (from Steven and wife Beth) and Zachary Ragan (Jessica) (from Connie and ex-Husband Norman De Leon); great grand-children, Stella and Ferris Ragan (from Brandon and wife Paige).

Tom was a US Air Force Veteran where he served as Chief Master Sergeant and was a Bronze Star recipient. He was known as ‘Tump’ to family and friends growing up in Oxford, NC, and surrounding areas. He had a storied career in the USAF, reaching the highest NCO rank of Chief Master Sergeant in a career of over 30 years.

Post his USAF retirement, Tom was an original leadership team member in the weapons system security planning and implementation group for what would become the B-2 Bomber, as well as other key weapons systems to support our warfighters during his 20+ years with Northrop Grumman. Tom went on to other endeavors in aerospace, assisting other firms in securing the nation’s future via their products and services, to include satellites and other critical infrastructure.

Tom finally retired at the age of 80 to care for his dear wife Jessie, and did so until her death seven years later. Tom loved his country, good music, cowboy TV shows, Andy Griffith, and military history. His favorite movie was “My Cousin Vinnie”, and he watched it multiple times with his loving daughter Connie, in his later years.

During his final days, his nephew Pastor Rick Ragan, son of his late older brother James and minister of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Skippers, Virginia, visited multiple times with Tom and was of great comfort to him.

The primary care giver during his later years was his daughter Connie who maintained a regular presence in his life, seeing to his needs, and ensuring his comfort. His son Steven was honored to have him live with him in AL for a time, until Tom desired to be back home and near ‘Jessie’s  place of rest.

Tom was known by many, loved by many, and respected across all he touched. May God Rest His Soul.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor Rick Ragan with the burial to follow at Alamance Memorial Park with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 5-7 on Wednesday at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ and/or Tunnel to Towers https://dogood.t2t.org/ and provide a card to family with your choice (not amount) that we may share with Dad in prayers and remembrance.

To watch the service and to sign online condolences, please visit www.lowefuneralhome.com.