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James “Jimmy” Wilmer Ragans, age 92, passed away on May 28, 2023. Born in Clearwater, Florida, on June 13, 1930 to James and Alma Ragans, Jimmy is a Florida native and Korean War veteran, who visited places such as Alaska, New Zealand, Ireland, Jamaica, Australia and much of Europe. He enjoyed relaxing at Lake Tallavana in Havana, Fla., in many parts of Georgia as well as in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Jimmy’s family returned to Madison, Fla., where he graduated high school, and took pride in a hard days’ work milking cows, churning butter, curing tobacco and growing peanuts. He managed a grocery store in Jacksonville, Fla., before moving to Tallahassee, where he focused mostly in tire companies, service stations, convenience stores and real estate. Known to many as the “tire man,” he enjoyed automobiles and the first he owned was an older model International pick-up truck. He inherited a 1924 Chevrolet and drove it from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, Ga., to celebrate his parents in law’s 50th wedding anniversary. For many years and through this past Christmas season, he served as the chief fundraiser for the philanthropic projects of the Tallahassee Civitan Club, selling fruitcakes and poinsettias, and placing candy donation boxes in stores around Tallahassee. Civitan’s projects included support for the PACE Center for Girls and an endowed scholarship at Tallahassee Community College. He is currently a member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church and formerly a member of East Hill Baptist Church. He formerly served on the board of the Tallahassee State Bank as well as a member of other civic groups. Hosting a fish fry at the lake with cheese grits, sliced tomato and homemade peach ice cream with friends and family was a favorite pastime. Jimmy was simply the best at living life to the fullest and his regular advice was: “Get up in the morning, put your feet on the floor, put one foot in front of the other, smile and everything is gonna be just fine.” He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife’s parents; his siblings and their spouses Doris and Eli Roberts, Norman and Vera Ragans, JT and Betty Ragans, and his brothers-in-law Julian Williams and Aubrey Mayo. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Sherrill Williams Ragans; his two daughters (in love) Wendy and Gretchen (Ubie) and their children Sherrill, DJ and Troy; his sister Betty Mayo; his sister in-law Joanne Williams and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A service to celebrate his life will be held on his birthday Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church with a reception in their Sanders Hall to immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to make a contribution of time or resources to a charity of your choice. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

James "Jimmy" Wilmer Ragans

June 13, 1930 - May 28, 2023