The Marietta Daily Journal
April 06, 2010 12:00 AM | 580 views | 1

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Mr. Otis Scott Ragsdale, 90, of Marietta, GA, passed away on April 3, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis & Lucille Ragsdale; wife, Georgia Kate Harris Ragsdale; and brother, William A. Ragsdale. He is survived by sons, W. Scott Ragsdale and James R. Ragsdale; step-son, Henry B.Garmon, sisters, Genia Belle Isle and Judy Plympton; loving companion, Jean Saling; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Ragsdale served as a B-24 pilot in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He flew fifty missions and was awarded the European Theater Medal with four Bronze Stars and the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. During his lifetime, Mr. Ragsdale was a residential builder and developer in East Marietta and West Cobb; was a founding member of the Marietta Parks and Recreation Board; served as president of the Kennesaw Mountain Jaycees; and was a member of the Marietta Lost Mountain Golden Kiwanis Club. At Marietta First Methodist, he served as an usher, was a member of the Marietta Singles, Emmaus Ministries and the Jack Aaron Sunday School class. Visitation will be Tuesday night, April 6, from 6:00 - 8:00 at the funeral home. Services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, April 7, at the church with Dr. Sam Matthews officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park on Whitlock Ave. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Marietta Singles, the American Cancer Society, MUST Ministries or your favorite charity. Mayes Ward-Dobbins is in charge of arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com
Unfortunatley, I just learned of the passing of Mr. Ragsdale. May God's love, peace and strength abound with you during your time of bereavement.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ragsdale at the Marietta Museum of History (around yeat 2006). It was an AWESOME connection. Several local Tuskegee Airmen were on program there. Afterwards, Mr. Ragsdale, a guest of an Atlanta Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. member, Dave Kapple, made his way to the front of the room. Mr. Ragsdale explained how during WWII his path crossed with that of the Tuskegee Airmen. Flying P-51 Mustangs (a/k/a "Redtails"), they provided escort on bomber missions for his squadron. Then he THANKED the men. It was an humbling experience. Although Mr. Ragsdale has transcended this life, he will never be forgotten. I will pass on his story and gladly display the photo taken of him with the Tuskegee Airmen and myself [at the museum] that day.
Sincerely,
Zellie Rainey Orr, Historian
Atlanta Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
April 10, 2010