Orville D. Ragsdale, 89, of Baker City, died May 13, 2009, at his home.
His funeral will be Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., with Pastor Roger Scovil officiating. Vault interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Orville was a hometown Baker boy, born Dec. 10, 1919, the third of four brothers born to Mabel C. and Lee A. Ragsdale. Beyond the mischief that four brothers could get into, one of Orville’s proudest moments was being a member of the Baker High School basketball team of 1938, state of Oregon champions, and where he was named state all star forward. Orville attended Willamette University on a four-year basketball scholarship and majored in business. Before graduation, the U.S. entered World War II, and along with many classmates he enlisted and was put on reserve until graduation in 1942.
Upon graduation, Orville reported for duty in the Army Air Corps where he served in Baker, San Antonio, Texas, St. Louis, and Springfield, Mass. He trained to be a glider pilot before glider units were disbanded, so went on to be a trainer for B-24 crews. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1946 and returned to Baker to assist his mother who was in ill health at the time.
In 1948, he met Bessie Herzog, a newcomer to Baker, and they soon became an item. “Slow Boat to China” was their song. Bessie and Orville were married on March 20, 1949, and they made their home in Baker for the next 60 years. Katharine Herzog, his mother-in-law, lived with them until her death in 1975. Orville showed care and respect for her as he did for his own mother, Mabel Ragsdale, who passed in 1972.
Orville was very active in the Baker business community. Upon his return to Baker, Orville worked for Fred Moes at the Eastern Oregon Finance Company. In 1951, he seized the opportunity to own his own business. With Lloyd Rea, Sr., he began the Rea and Ragsdale Insurance Agency. In 1984 he became sole owner and operator of the Ragsdale Insurance Agency until his retirement 1992. At that time the agency was sold to the Clarke & Clarke Insurance Agency.
Orville’s outside interests usually centered on sports. In high school he was on the Baker Bulldog basketball, football, and baseball teams. At Willamette University he also played basketball and baseball.
After returning to Baker as a young adult, Orville participated in city teams. He joined a bowling league, with the Rea & Ragsdale Insurance Agency sponsoring his team. In mid-life, Orville discovered golf. For the next 50 years, he not only played golf locally, but enjoyed traveling with family and friends to participate in amateur tournaments throughout the Northwest. The Baker City Golf Club recognized Orville as an active member who participated in work parties and was a regular in the Twilight League.
Throughout his life, Orville was active in the Baker Valley community. He was named man of the year, and was a member of the Kiwanis, Elks, American Legion, Jaycees and the Baker City Chamber of Commerce. Orville was also a Mason and Shriner.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bessie, who cared for him during his declining health these past eight years. He was a wonderful, sincere, loving husband and the light of Bessie’s life. Even in his illness, he had a smile and a funny little laugh for everyone.
Orville is also survived by a brother, Duane Ragsdale and his wife, Mimi, of New York City; his niece, Dana Cramer and family of Medford; his nephew, Dick Ragsdale and family of Skillman, N.J., his niece, Priscilla Ing and family of Eugene, his nephew, Rand Racey, and family of Round Rock, Texas, his nephew, Norm Ragsdale and family of Portland, and niece, Martha Ragsdale of Portland.
Preceding Orville in death were his brothers, Lee Verdell Ragsdale and Norman Ragsdale.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 21, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor