Bobbie Keith Ragon

1933 - 2025

Graveside services for Bobbie Keith Ragon, 91, West Plains, Mo., will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at South Fork Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Ragon passed away at 5:53 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Springfield, Mo.

Bob Ragon was born Bobbie Keith Ragon, the youngest of eight children of Vonnie Ragon and Inez Alexander Ragon, on Dec. 12, 1933, in Hunt City, Ill. Bobbie spent his childhood mostly in the Willow Hills area of southern Illinois. He attended a small, one-room rural school where his older brother Bill was also his teacher one year.

"Bob," as he was known to his family and friends, graduated from Oblong High School, Oblong, Ill., with the Class of 1950, where he met and later married his wife of 71 years, Joan Wilson Ragon.

He joined the United States Air Force, spending most of his military career in Spain, Okinawa and California. One of the highlights of his tour in Spain was he was chosen to be an extra, portraying a British soldier, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, in the filming of Lawrence of Arabia. He also was present in Hawaii when former Senator and Vietnam POW John McCain was brought home after years of capture. Another highlight was Bob met singer and actress Debbie Reynolds while on a USO Trip to Okinawa. Therefore, the next girl child born was named Debbie.

While serving 22 years in the Air Force, he held a variety of jobs, made lots of friends and learned how to play pinochle. He retired as a master sergeant.

After retiring from the Air Force, Bob owned a successful well drilling business. He also turned his hobby of raising cattle into a full-time business, living in Madera, Calif., in the San Joaquin Valley.

Bob and Joan relocated to West Plains (South Fork area) around 1990, shipping the household items and two livestock trucks filled with his Charolais cattle. Bob and Joan built Ragon Ranch, raising cattle, baling hay and "Living the Good Life in Paradise." Bob continued to work his cattle until his death Sept. 29, 2025, at the age of 91.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Harold, Willie "Bill," Henrieta, Leon, Lois, Ilene and Iola Mae; and his youngest daughter Janice Odom of West Plains.

Bob is survived by his wife Joan; two daughters Nancy Jaye, Crestview, Fla., and Debra Ayres, Conway, Ark.; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Moody Volunteer Fire Department and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.