Christopher Ragan

Christopher James Ragan was born on June 22, 1986, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. His life here on Earth ended in a tragic car crash near Fort Collins on Oct. 22, 2005. Chris attended Bauder and Bennett Elementary schools, Blevins Junior High and Rocky Mountain High School, all in Fort Collins. He graduated from high school in May 2005 after completing his high school work with the Outside Independent Study program in Poudre School District. One of his teachers remembers Chris as a talented woodworking student, detail-oriented and always ready to philosophize about life. During his last two years of high school, Chris volunteered in Head Start Preschool Classrooms at Fullana Learning Center, where the children adored him and looked forward to the time he spent in their classrooms, singing, helping with art projects, reading and playing. He had a special gift for working with young children. Christopher worked as a relief custodian for Poudre School District. His creativity and artistic abilities were impressive, and he leaves behind artwork and poetry for his family and friends to cherish as they remember Chris and his loving, generous spirit. Chris loved music from the '60s and '70s. He loved to learn a little about many things. His natural curiosity and inquiring mind took him on numerous adventures. Chris loved spending time with his family and friends. He especially loved family vacations. Chris will be missed by everyone who loved him and knew him. He touched the lives of many children and adults in the community through his schooling, volunteer work and friendship. Chris leaves behind his sister, Katharine, with whom he shared a very special and loving relationship. He also leaves his parents, Sharon and Douglas Ragan; his dogs, Shadow and Raven; grandparents, Al and Velda Slama, of Lincoln, Neb.; aunts, Doris Riley, of Colorado Springs, Maureen Romine, of Las Vegas, N.M., Celeste Romine, of Fort Collins, and Becky Parks, of Fort Collins; a great-aunt, Juanita Langley, of Birmingham, Ala.; uncles, Mark and Bob Romine, of Fort Collins, and Gene and Todd Ragan, of Lincoln, Neb., Bob Riley, of Colorado Springs; cousins, Cindy and Harry Wallace, of Colorado Springs, Deborah and Bill Jury, of Fort Collins, Daniel Romine, of Fort Collins; and many more cousins, great-aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Dale and Blanche Romine; a great-grandmother, Ella Bell Tronnes; and a grandfather, James Warren Ragan. In celebration of Christopher's life, and as a tribute to his spirit and love, friends are invited to gather with the family for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bohlender Funeral Home and a celebration of his life ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday at Timberline Church. Since Christopher created and loved to wear tie-dyed clothing, he would love to have guests wear articles he has created or other brightly colored T-shirts and jeans to these services. Contributions may be made to Timberline Church for the Lighthouse in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.