Mr. Ragsdale was born May 28, 1922, in the Greenbrier Community of Mayes County, to David Welch and Bertha Lee (Anglin) Ragsdale.  He attended school in Wewoka, graduating from Wewoka High School in 1941.  He then served his country honorably in the Army Air Corps, participating in World War II campaigns in Burma and India and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He later attended Oklahoma A&M, earning his B.S. in Education in 1950.

He began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1951, and married Sarah Rosalie Smith on December 28th the same year in Muskogee.  He served in various capacities at the B.I.A., including Superintendent of the Tahlequah Agency.  After his retirement in 1975, Joe maintained a cattle ranch on the family acreage in Rose, and enjoyed fishing and hunting.  His most precious time was spent enjoying the visits of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the farm.

He remained active in the Cherokee community and served one term on the Cherokee Council.  He also helped organize Mayes County Rural Water District #9, and devoted many hours to the development of the rural water system.  A lifelong member of the Baptist Church, he had served as Deacon at the First Baptist Churches of Stilwell, Tahlequah, Rose, and Locust Grove.  He was always interested in helping his fellow man, especially his Cherokee friends and neighbors.  He will join many others in Heaven as truly a member of the Greatest Generation.

Joe Ragsdale passed from this life on Monday, October 1, 2001, at his home in Rose.  He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sarah Ragsdale of the home; two sons, David Roberts and wife Lucy of Collinsville, Joe Ragsdale II and wife Lynne of Tulsa; daughter Hope Roberts of Rose; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two nieces.  He was preceded in death by both parents; one brother, David Welch Ragsdale, Jr.; and a great-grandson, Jared.

Friends are donating in his memory to the Locust Grove First Baptist Church Building Fund (P.O. Box 52, Locust Grove, OK 74352), or to the missionary or charity fund of choice.

Locust Grove Funeral Home