John Ragan:
CLASS OF 1967
Glen Alpine High SchoolClass of 1967
Glen alpine, NC
John's Story
Graduation from GAHS launched me on a path to the Air Force Academy. Four years of military training and engineering studies finally lead to a commission and my dream of flying jets in pilot training at Enid OK.
My lovely wife-to-be, Elizabeth ("Libby" Franklin from the GAHS class of 66), and I bumped into each other, years after high school when I was home on leave from that unpopular little "dust up" in Southeast Asia. About a year later we tied the knot. A couple of years and two states later our daughter entered our lives followed by our son four years afterward and yet another state.
Our children are now grown and on their own. Amanda is a choral director at Oak Ridge HS in TN and Patrick followed in the family business (he's an F-16 pilot). Pat and Rachael have blessed us with a grand daughter, Rowan Joy.
After more than 20 years, mostly in fighter type aircraft, I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. During our time in the Air Force we lived overseas in England and Germany for nearly 7 years and spent the rest of the time with "long tours" in Texas and South Carolina and various short ...Expand for more
tours in other places including a solo visit on my part to "Desert Storm." My spare time was involved with family, international sports, a master's in aeronautical sciences and starting a PhD, but it was unfinished due to financial difficulties (the GI Bill ran out).
Since hanging up the uniform, I worked on the corporate management team at Lowe's and am currently a business consultant specializing in statistics (math geek). After years trotting around the golbe, Elizabeth and I finally put down roots in Oak Ridge, TN to be closer to our daughter. When not on the road with clients, I substitute teach at the local high school and stay active with church activities.
I ran for the Tennessee legislature in 2010 and won. Another hard fought campaign lead to a victory in 2012 followed by another in 2014. Thanks to great volunteers and supporters, I was able to continue as the state representative for Tennessee District 33. This "part-time" job remains psychologically rewarding, mentally challenging, emotionally frustrating, and extremely time consuming... not in equal portions, by a long shot.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Photos
