Rhett D. Ragsdale, Jr., of Newtown, died peacefully on Monday, October 24, 2011, with his devoted family at his side at Chandler Hall in Newtown. He was 78.

He was the beloved husband of 50 years to late Mary E. Sheehan Ragsdale. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Rhett D. Sr. and Mildred Sentel Ragsdale and brother of the late Carol Musselman.

Rhett was a resident of Newtown for the past 15 years. He was a graduate of Mastbaum High School, class of 1951 and LaSalle University with his B S in Business Administration in 1957.

Rhett was a man of deep faith and many talents, but his love of family was to be admired. Rhett worked for Warner Concrete, Co. as operations manager from 1960 to 1972. In the latter part of 1972 he became the Division Manager and later the Vice President for Waste Resources. He was the first operations manager of their Grows Landfill in Bucks County. His entrepreneurial skills led him to develop Eagle Hauling, Company and Quaker Water Company, which he operated from 1983 till 2001. From 1994 until June of this year Rhett has worked as a Field Agent for Knights of Columbus Insurance.

His talents were wide raging, from being a tenor Sax player in his early years and doing a stint with the Polish American String band to serving as auditor of Newtown Township from 1995 to 2001 and Newtown Township , Judge of Elections District # 2 from 1997 to 2001.

Rhett, has been and always will be known for his deep faith, love of family, and community service. He has been a communicant of the Church of St. Andrew and a faithful member of the R. V. Hennessy Council # 6145 Knights of Columbus, where he served as Past Grand Knight. He was also active with the Regina Coeli Council, #4921.

He enjoyed many years and especially summers at his vacation home in Sea Isle City, NJ, with his family, fishing, playing horse shoes, and flying kites on the beach. In his later years he loved spending time with his grand children and great grandchildren attending their social and sporting events and just hanging with them as their Grand Pop. He will be remembered for his quick wit and smile.

Rhett is survived by his devoted children; William M. Ragsdale and his companion Jean Anderson of Bensalem, Michael J. Ragsdale and his wife Krista of Coopersburg PA, Daniel J. Ragsdale and his wife Cathleen of Allentown, Sharon Lee Ragsdale and her companion Hope Kushner of Mt. Laurel, NJ, his sister Dolores Ragsdale of Gilbertsville and his 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Relative, friends and Brother Knights of Columbus are invited to attend his viewing Saturday October 29, 2011 from 9:00am until his Funeral Mass 11:00am at the Olde Church of St., Andrew 135 Sycamore St., Newtown. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory maybe made to the R.V. Hennessey Council # 6145, Knights of Columbus c/o 1391 Hi-View Rd. Southampton PA 18966