Royal Montgomery “Monty” Ragar, 79, of Warsaw, Missouri, died early Tuesday morning, August 26, 2025, at his home.
He was born November 22, 1945, in Sedalia, Mo., the son of Royal George Ragar and Helen Louise (Ward) Ragar. On February 20, 1969, he married Donna Marie Bartels in Green Ridge, Mo., and she preceded him in death on July 14, 2014. On October 31, 2018, he married Pam Crawford in Warsaw, and she survives of the home.
After graduating from Green Ridge High School in 1963, Monty served for three years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Wedderburn. From a young age, Monty knew he wanted to be a welder like his father. He started with W&M Welding in Sedalia, often doing intricate and decorative trims for homes. He then worked for Peabody Coal Company before beginning a 30-year career with KCP&L as a welder journeyman at the La Cygne, Kansas power plant. He also operated Royal’s Prop Shop in his spare time. He enjoyed fishing and sharing his catch with others, building anything with wood or welded metal, and playing Green Ridge Rummy with friends.
In addition to his wife Pam, survivors include a brother, Mike Ragar (Merle), of Sedalia, Mo.; 2 sisters, Carol Ann Wamsley (Ronny) of Mendon, Mo., and Rita Baslee, of Sedalia, Mo.; a step-son, Charlie Crawford (Becky) and family of Warsaw, Mo.; 4 sisters-in-law, Janice Johnson, of Windsor, Mo.; Shirley Coffey (Randy), Carol Tylar (Ron), and Cathy Nichols (Ron), all of Green Ridge, Mo.; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. In addition to his wife Donna, he was preceded in death by 3 brothers-in-law, Rick Baslee, Darrell Bartels, and Ronnie Johnson; and a sister-in-law, Debbie Keele.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor, with Pastor John Streit officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hickory Point Cemetery, rural Green Ridge, Mo., at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hickory Point Cemetery or Benton County Hospice in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.
