News & Notes Farewells Louis “Martin” Hamilton Jr., age 72, of Woodbine, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at Frederick M e m o r i a l Hospital. Born March 22, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland he was the son of the late Louis Martin Hamilton, Sr. and Margaret Brosenne Hamilton. He was the loving husband of Joanne Bordelon Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton worked as 4-H Educator in Howard County, MD for 30 years and at the time of his passing was previously employed as Executive
Secretary of the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board. He was currently serving as Secretary of the Howard County Fair Association. He was past Big Chief of the Maryland 4-H and Howard County All Stars, a member of the Lodge of a Thousand, and was a 4-H volunteer in Howard County for 50+ years. He was very active with the Maryland Shorthorn Association, and loved his church family. Mr. Hamilton raised Shorthorn beef cattle for 30 years and was selected “Builder of the Breed” in 2015. He amassed a very large collection of antique Shorthorn and Agricultural books, pictures dating back to the mid 1800’s. As much as he loved things of the past, he adored sharing stories with those in the present. His generosity, caring spirit
and laugh will be missed by many. Surviving in addition to his wife are daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Brandon O’Neal of Bryan, TX; brothers and sisters-in-law Patrick and Laura Hamilton and Timothy and Victoria Hamilton and brother-in-law James Williams and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sister Trudy Williams and his parents Louis and Margaret. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Maryland 4-H Foundation - William A. Curry Endowment, 8020 Greenmead Drive, College Park, MD 20740-4000. =
John C. “Jack” Ragsdale, 95, of Prospect, KY passed away Friday October 8, 2021 at home after a long battle with Parkinson Disease. Jack was born July 6, 1926 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Forest V. and Marjorie C. Ragsdale. Jack’s early years were spent on his Aunt Betty and Uncle Loren Webb’s farm outside of Franklin, Indiana. This was the start of Jack’s love of all things dealing with agriculture. Jack attended Franklin High School and upon graduation from high school served in the Army Air Corp, WW II. Jack attended Franklin College where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. At Franklin college Jack met Ruth Anne Rogers,his wife of seventy one years who died in 2019. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Animal Science. While attending Purdue Jack served on the Purdue livestock
judging team where his score at the 1948 Chicago Livestock Exposition remained as the highest score until 1961. Upon graduating from Purdue University, Jack managed farms in Paris, Kentucky followed with managing farms for the Garvin Brown family, Prospect, KY. The management of farms for the Garvin Brown family allowed Jack to manage an elite Seed Stock and Farming Operation from 1955-1986. Jack served the purebred livestock industry for many years past president American Shorthorn Association and Kentucky Beef Cattle Association. He was instrumental in the inception of the North American International Livestock Exposition. Serving as Chairman or Chairman Emeritus until his passing. Jack was honored by having his portrait in both the Purdue University Livestock Hall of Fame and the Saddle Sirloin Portrait Gallery. Jack was an avid golfer, past member of Hunting Creek Country Club and past chairman of the Tri State golf tournaments. From the family we would like to
thank all the caregivers that made our parents later years very special: Marilyn Williams, Darlene Baker. Beverly Lawrence and LaWanda Bowman. Special gratitude to Dace Brown Stubbs. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Anne Ragsdale, grandson Joel Clark Despeaux, and his sister Marjorie Moyer. Survivors include his children Carolyn Ragsdale, Cathy Lynch (Edward Portman), David Ragsdale (Sherry), his grandchildren Sam Despeaux (Carly Calhoun), Grace Barrett (Jan), Jaclyn Ragsdale, and Clair Belknap (Ian) In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Jack Ragsdale, Shorthorn Foundation, 18 Lovers Leap, Van Alstyne, TX 75495. There will be a Celebration of Jack’s Life during the North American International Livestock Exposition Saturday November 13, 2021 preceding the Deck The Stalls auction benefiting The American Junior Shorthorn Association. =
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