John W. Ragsdale

John Wesley Ragsdale (Johnny) 65, died on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation is Thursday from 4 to 6 PM at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, and again on Friday from 10 to 11 AM at Well's United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Ave., Jackson, MS with the service immediately following. The burial service will be at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Johnny was born October 14,1948 in Jackson, MS. He graduated from Murrah High School in 1966, where he was a Golden Gloves boxer in the welterweight category. In 1971 he obtained a bachelors’ of business degree from Ole Miss. He was an avid Rebel fan and loved everything about Oxford and Ole Miss. While a student he coached and played intramural football for the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and led them through 3 consecutive championships, a feat that had never before been accomplished and has not occurred since.

Johnny had a varied career starting in the clothing business while in high school, and including a long stint in the car business managing Hallmark BMW and later Blackwell Mercedes. After leaving the car business he worked in alcohol and drug recovery and founded "The First Offender Program" where he worked with the courts in providing drug and alcohol counseling for individuals facing charges of a first offense. He then returned to the clothing business working with Great Scott while beginning a new career in real estate investing. But of all Johnny's career accomplishments he will probably be best remembered as the previous owner of "The Cherokee" where he introduced the daily blue plate lunch special and made it the most popular place in town.

Johnny was a marathoner, completing the U. S. Navy Blue Angel Marathon in February 1998, and the New York Marathon in November 1998. He was a lover of sports, especially football, and of animals. Johnny was an active member in the Central Mississippi Walk to Emmaus community and a loyal member of Well's United Methodist Church. He loved his church and held his pastor, Keith Tonkel, in highest regard.

Johnny was preceded in death by his mother Gladys Finch Ragsdale and is survived by his father, J. W. Ragsdale, his loving wife, Sara Holland Ragsdale, daughter, Ashley Kate Ragsdale and two precious twin granddaughters, Ireland and Kairi Smith, whom he adored. His sister Donnie Faye Ragsdale Jackson and brother, Kenneth Ray Ragsdale and their families, also survive him.

Memorials may be made in Johnny's honor to Well's United Methodist church 2019 Bailey Ave, Jackson, MS 39213.