Kenneth Neil Ragland, 82, of Owensboro, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at Owensboro Medical Health System. He was born April 14, 1930, in Beaver Dam, Ky., the son of T.L. Ragland and Mabel Porter Ragland.
He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1948. He received his Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky in 1957 and his Doctor of Juris Prudence from the university in 1960.
In 1960, he opened his law practice in Calhoun, Ky. He was associated with John D. Miller having a practice in McLean County and Daviess County for a number of years. In 1972, he became a partner with John O. Hicks, III in the law firm of Ragland and Hicks. In 1990, he joined the firm of Finemore, Nussbaum, & Ragland in Kinnelon, N.J., where here he practiced until his retirement. His professional memberships include the McLean-Muhlenberg County Bar, the Kentucky Bar, the New Jersey Bar, and the American Bar Associations.
He served as legal counsel for Farmers & Merchants Bank in McLean County and First Security Bank of McLean County. He was also counsel to the cities of Livermore and Island, Ky., as well as North McLean and Island Water Districts. He served as Master Commissioner for the McLean District Court.
His community services included Democratic Party chairman for McLean County. He was active in the Calhoun Lions Club and served on the McLean County Fair Board.
Born and reared on a farm on Liberty Road in Beaver Dam, Ky., he continued to have an active interest in agriculture throughout his life. In 1962, he joined John D. Miller and George Phillips in forming an agricultural supply business – Green Valley Farm Supply – in Island and later in Calhoun, Ky. In 1972, Green Valley Farm Supply was owned by Doug Wood, Buddy Wood, and Ken Ragland.
He was associated with the Methodist Church throughout his life, first at Liberty Methodist in Ohio County and later at the Methodist Church in Calhoun.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Nussbaum; sisters, Eloise Howell (Harry) and Anna Laura Bratcher (Osvil); brothers, Rev. Terry P. Ragland (Lucile), Edward Ragland (Mildred), Thomas Ragland (Joan), and Maurice Ragland; his niece Jane Howell Baker and his nephew Larry Bratcher (Charlotte).
He is survived by his son James Neil Ragland, Atlanta, Ga.; his stepsons, John Nussbaum and Robert Nussbaum both of Kinnelon, N.J., his brother, Dr. John Ragland (Irene) of Lexington, Ky., and his sister, Mary Sue Saint (Fred) of Sandy Springs, Md.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam, Ky. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to your local Hospice organization.
Online messages of condolence can be made at www.danksfuneralhome.com.