Curtis Ross Ragan, 75, of Dawsonville, died Oct. 28, 2013.

Born Sept. 26, 1938, in Grady County, to the late Eddie Ross and Evelyn Kinchen Ragan, he spent his school years in Decatur County. Upon graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force, after which he began a career with the department of defense. Mr. Ragan served with military and civilian units throughout the world defending and protecting our United States of America.

After retiring, he returned to his beloved state of Georgia and has lived in Dawson County since 1993.

His brother, Gordon Billy Ragan, also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nelda Medora Pollock Ragan of Dawsonville; his children and their spouses, David and Becky Ragan of Alexandria, La., Bradley and Lisa Ragan of Waleska, Deborah and Duncan Hoopes of Tampa, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Elaine and Cuy Knight of Jackson, Barbara and Norman Rasmussen of Bainbridge; sister-in-law, Anne Ragan of Milledgeville; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 31, at the Georgia National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions were asked to be made to local veteran's associations, the National Kidney Foundation, Hospice of Northeast Georgia or your church.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.