Arley Wayne Ragan

Arley Ragan, age 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

He was born in Cherryvale, KS on July 7, 1918, to Eddie and Cora Ragan. He moved with his family to Albuquerque when he was a high school senior and graduated from Albuquerque High School. On April 22, 1940, Arley married his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Peggy) Alice Mccauley. In the early 1940’s he, his wife and first son moved to southern California where their second son was born. During WWII Arley joined the US Marine Corps, and after serving in China he received an honorable discharge in 1945. The family returned to Albuquerque in 1960 where they remained until the present. Arley was a longtime salesman of various motor vehicle types, but he also held several other management positions during his lifetime. He retired after serving several years as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Manufactured Housing Association. Also, he was a member of the Heights Optimist Club and a 69-year member of the Elks Club. Arley was an avid fisherman and loved his boats.

He was preceded in death by, the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) who passed away on May 18, 2012, at the age of 90. They had been married 72 wonderful years. He is survived by his sons, Terry and wife, Cheryl of Albuquerque, along with their son, Christopher of Newark, CA, Patrick and wife, Deborah of Albuquerque along with their sons, Brandon of Albuquerque and Justin, wife Amanda; and Arleys’ great granddaughter, Rosa Lynn of Valrico, FL. There are also several nieces and nephews scattered about the country including Sandy Ragan of Albuquerque and Cathy Caswell and her husband, Bill of Farmington, NM.

Arley was one of the few of the “Greatest Generation” left. He was a beloved husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He was a man of high principles and always had unconditional love for his family. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.

Arley’s cremains, along with his precious wife Peggy’s, will be placed together in a memorial wall at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with United States Marine Corps military honors ceremony. This will be a private ceremony conducted on October 16, 2017.