JAMES H. RAGAN

James H. Ragan, 83, of Duluth (Homecroft), passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 after a three year battle with cancer. Jim was able to stay at home with his wife and daughters by his side.

He was born on Oct. 2, 1928 to Virgie Mae Thorton Johnson in Coleman, Texas.

He joined the Air Force during the latter part of World War II and was trained in Radio Mechanics at Scott AF Base in Illinois. He was then stationed in Japan and Okinawa. After several tours overseas, he was stationed in Albuqurque, New Mexico where he met Helga Akkanen, they were married on Dec. 1, 1951.

After getting out of the Air Force Jim, Helga and daughter Yvonne moved to Marble, Minn. He worked in the mines for a short time on the Iron range then attended schools for FAA in Oklahoma City, Okla. Jim, Helga and Yvonne were first stationed in Nome, Alaska. Jim was then stationed on Canton Island in the South Pacific. When he returned to the United States he was stationed in Goodland, Kan., and then Duluth. He worked for FAA at the Duluth Airport. When Jim retired from FAA he went to work as an over hire at the Airport plowing snow for the City. He enjoyed his winter job and thought of it as "fun" to run the large plows.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother Virgie Mae (Thorton) Ragan; step-father TC Ragan and his sister Marjorie Mathews all of Texas; his half-sisters Marge (Beck) Yancik, Marcy Urick, twin sisters Ellen and Elsie Nix; his half-brother Wesley Cumpston. He was also extremely close to Helga's parents August and Ellen Akkanen and sister-in-law Helen Akkanen.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helga of Duluth; daughters Yvonne (Bob) Venier and Cynthia (Jay) Haugen both of Rochester, Minn.; grandchildren, Melanie (Allen) Pryor, Robert (Lisa) Venier III, Joseph (Michelle) Haugen of Broomfield, Colo., Andrew (Ruth) Haugen; great-granddaughter Caitlin Pryor all of Rochester, Minn.; two half sisters, Billie Moore of Texas and Caroline Peterson of Colorado; brother-in-law Kenneth (Jane) Akkanen their son Todd and his children Karley and Ryan Akkanen of Minnesota; cousins and special friends, Alyce Lundvall of Idaho, Agnes and Denny Jain of Idaho, Allan and Diane Korvola of Washington, Marion and Tom Hedenberg, Diane and John Powers of Duluth, Marilyn and John Rossner, Margeret Haberl of Montreal, Quebec, Lynn Abrogast and Sam Dalal of Minnesota, Katie Eaton, Bob and Jan Collison, Candy Hausauer, Deb Manion, Binner Rahn, Mitzi Doane and Steve Arkulary, Wendy Savage and Coleen Christianson all of Duluth.

Jim always said, "We have been blessed with so many good friends." Helga, Yvonne and Cindy thank all of you for your love and prayers.

SERVICES: will not be held per Jim's request, he wanted to see his friends and relatives while he was alive. A private family memorial service will be held. Arrangements by Sunrise Funeral Home.

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