Ragon Don Kinney, Sr

In Remembrance of Ragon Don Kinney, Sr.

Ragon Don Kinney, Sr. age 81, passed away peacefully while in hospice care in Albuquerque, NM on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, after sudden but rapid complications from constrictive pericarditis.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Gail Fletcher Kinney; his two sons, Ragon Don Kinney Jr., and Mark Fletcher Kinney and his wife, Suzanne; three grandchildren, Isabella, Jacob, and Katja Kinney; one sister, Suzanne Crowson and her husband Jim; along with seven nephews and nieces; Jay, Joe, and Jordan Crowson, and Jennifer Watts; and Karen Malloy, Kristin Litzinger, and Bill Fletcher.

Friends and family are invited to a Rosary at 1:00 PM followed by a Requiem Mass and celebration of life service at 1:30 PM to be held Monday, August 5th at St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico: https://animalhumanenm.org.

Ragon was born Wednesday, September 23, 1942, in Clarksville, Arkansas to Ragon Dock and Patty Ruth Kinney. He spent the early years of his life on his grandparents’ peach farm before moving to Bauxite, Arkansas where he would enjoy his days playing baseball, Boy Scouting, and navigating the untamed woods surrounding the nearby mining operations and ore pits of Alcoa and Reynolds Aluminum. An All-State Football player on the undefeated 1959 Miner team, he graduated Valedictorian from Bauxite High School in 1960. It was during his high school years he would meet his Homecoming Queen and Cheerleader Captain sweetheart Gail Ann Fletcher. He went on to attend the University of Arkansas earning a BS in Physics in 1964 followed by a MS in Electrical Engineering in 1966. And even though they were both so young and still in school, they also knew the enduring love they had for each other. So Ragon proposed to Gail, and they were wed in Holy Matrimony on August 24, 1963, blissfully married to one another for the next 61 years.

In February of 1967, Ragon was offered and accepted a position with Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He and Gail packed their belongings and drove to the unknown high desert in their red Mercury Cougar. It was a position he would proceed to hold for the next 42 years followed by numerous contracting and consulting opportunities the remaining 16. Ragon loved the work he did and was deeply honored by both the achievement of Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff as well as the recognition for his Excellent Service in the National Interest at the time of retirement. And while he was held in the highest esteem by all those with whom he worked, Ragon was always approachable and open to new ideas for solving the problem at hand. He continued to impart his specialized knowledge of inertial guidance technology in his humble and mild manner to a new generation of Sandians up until the very last days of his life. 

In October of 1967 Ragon & Gail welcomed their first son Ragon Don Jr., followed by their second son Mark Fletcher in August of 1969. Ragon would be forever closely involved in their lives, constantly exposing them to new experiences and activities like camping, skiing, and swimming, as well as playing soccer, basketball and tennis. He coached both his sons’ soccer teams and attended their every athletic event. Ragon would also plan wonderful summer vacations each year that included the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, Washington DC, Hawaii, Cancun, and eventually almost every beach in Florida. Additionally, he would return to Arkansas most summers to visit his parents, family and friends. His mother would cry each time he had to leave again.

Ragon was the consummate over achiever, forever endeavoring to improve himself. He was extremely conscious of his health, either jogging, walking, or weight training daily most of his life. At one point he also played soccer where he was tenacious defender in the backfield. On the scholarly side, Ragon joined Toastmasters where he constantly earned awards for best presentation. Finally, he was learning Spanish, and practiced speaking daily while on his morning walks with his rescued cattle dog and deer disperser Kate.

Ragon was a Razorback fan and particularly enjoyed watching the Hogs play football, even driving to the Cotton Bowl in 1965 to watch an undefeated Arkansas beat Nebraska for the National Championship. However, he was most avidly a supporter of the Dallas Cowboys. And while he followed them every Sunday on TV, his ultimate joy was attending a home game in Dallas each year with his wife and sons. Frequently he would travel to summer training camps to get a head start on the upcoming season as well.

Ragon had a keen interest in history. He enjoyed reading and watching films and documentaries about World War II. One of his favorite trips was to France to visit the beaches of Normandy on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. However, he was most fascinated with the US Civil War. He visited countless battle fields and memorials, often with his beloved Uncle H with whom he shared this particular interest. He donated generously to preserve these sites believing they were an important part of our country’s history and should never be forgotten.

Ragon was an active member of St. John XXIII Catholic Community, attending Mass weekly, preferring the Sunday Vigil on Saturday evening. He often served as Lector, dutifully preparing his readings before Mass, but would also frequently be enlisted last minute as a Eucharist Minister, Altar Server, or Usher whenever a particular service would otherwise be shorthanded.

Yet as full as his life was, he would immediately concede it would be utterly empty without the love of his life and forever partner Gail Ann. They were truly the best of friends and were constantly at each other’s side. They especially enjoyed walking their rescued dogs over the years through the arroyos of Sandia Heights at sunset. Their sons will be forever grateful for the love they shared and showed for one another, manifested in providing the stable life of a home filled with the warmth of two soulmates meant to spend their lives together. No one ever needed for anything nor dreaded any worry as Ragon would take care of literally everything that needed addressing. He could and would fix anything that needed mending, both physically and metaphorically. The all-encompassing feeling of security he provided can never be replaced.

Finally, the family wishes to express appreciation to all the physicians, surgeons, and caregivers in the final days of life his life, all of whom treated him with compassion, concern, dignity and respect. Ragon will be sorely missed but forever in the hearts of all whom he cared for and those who cared for him. We each deeply love you whether we know you as Ragon Don, Ragon, Reg, Dad, Uncle or Grandpa Reg. May your kind soul be forever remembered as you rest in eternal peace.