Individual Details

Death

Rev. Vernon Harvey Ragsdale, age 88, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at Cabrillo Care Center in San Luis Obispo. He died of natural causes. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at Los Osos Valley Mortuary and Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon prior to the services. Rev. Ragsdale was born Feb. 9, 1917, in Cucamonga, Calif. He married his sweetheart, a Delano, Calif. high school cheerleader, Edith Elizabeth Furr, in 1939. Tragically, their first child, Clinton, died of polio at the age of two while Edith was expecting twins. Thereafter, they dedicated their life to Christ, and Vernon attended Glad Tidings Bible Institute in San Francisco, Calif. from 1943-1945. Being the only student with children, he was tagged with the nickname ?Pappy Ragsdale.? After graduation, they went into full-time ministry at a home missions church in Lovelock, Nev., where they were blessed with a third daughter, Vernell. Eight years later they were again blessed with a long awaited son, Marlon. Vernon became an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God in 1947, and was a pastor throughout California for 27 years in locations such as Greenville, Avenal, Brawley and Bakersfield, including San Luis Obispo from 1958 to 1963. Vernon was extremely proud of his service as chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol between 1959 and 1974, attaining the rank of Lt. Col. with the USAF Auxiliary. He served as chaplain at Mather and Norton Air Force Bases during summer encampments. After retirement from the ministry in 1972, Vernon and Edith relocated to Santa Cruz, Calif., and resided there until Edith became gravely ill from lymphoma. They moved back to San Luis Obispo a few months before her death in 1986 to be near their twin daughters. In 1988, Vernon married Edie Mansfield of Bakersfield. They shared 17 years together in San Luis Obispo prior to his passing. The love and care she provided was a true blessing for Vernon. Pastor Ragsdale?s love of the Lord was his main focus in life. He shared his faith with a passion and was a loving pastor to all. After falling and fracturing his neck in February 2003, he entered Cabrillo Care Center. The Cabrillo staff always commented on his bright smile and caring spirit. The loving care he received there was superior and is truly appreciated. Vernon is survived by his wife of 17 years, Edie; his twin daughters, Linda Campbell and husband Bill, Glenda Humphrey and husband Joe of San Luis Obispo; daughter Vernell Wilbanks of Broomfield, Colo.; son Marlon Ragsdale and wife, Karyn of St. Stephen, S.C.; foster son Roger Fike of Santa Clarita, Calif.; four stepchildren, Linda Scoville of Salem, Ore.; Kathy Linne of Howe, Okla., Janet Mansfield of Mampa, Idaho, and Gary Mansfield of Bakersfield; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Opal Smith of Kingsburg, Calif. and Dorothy Logan of Delano. Vernon was preceded in death by his first wife Edith, in 1986; infant son Clinton in 1942, and five siblings, Ruth, Russell, Charlotte, Ruby, Adina Bell and Robert Jr., Vernon will be remembered for his love of Jesus, his perseverance and his warm heart. "You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." The prophet, Kahlil Gibran
The San Luis Obispo Tribune, February 4, 2006