Born on August 4, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois.
Passed on December 6, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
JAMES GEORGE “JIM” RAGAN, age 71, of Melbourne, Florida, born August 4th, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, passed away December 6th, 2024. Jim moved to Melbourne with his family at age 13. Jim was a 1972 graduate of Eau Gallie High School.
Jim worked at Murphy Oldsmobile from 1972 to 1982. He was a lead mechanic at the Vehicle Maintenance Facility of the Melbourne post office from 1982 until his retirement in 2015.
Jim earned a photography certification from Eastern Florida State College in 2015. He was a member of the Camera Club of Brevard, having served at various times in the offices of President and Treasurer. Jim entered the club’s photograph competitions. He also photographed local events, including Melbourne High School Girls’ Soccer team from 2016 until 2022.
He taught lapidary classes and served on the board of the Canaveral Mineral and Gem Society. Jim entered into competitions for cabbing gemstones and faceting gemstones. He also made his own jewelry.
Jim volunteered at the Ascension Thrift Store in Melbourne; and the HOPE for Brevard Thrift Store and feline rescue facility.
Jim began studying martial arts in 1996. He earned his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Dan from Juko Kai International. He earned his 4th Dan from USJJF and 5th Dan from USJA. Jim joined World Kido in 2021 and was promoted to 1st Dan and 2nd Dan in Hapkido. Jim taught classes in Melbourne, attended seminars, and served as referee in tournaments across the country.
Personal activities included fishing with his son, Ken; attending concerts with wife Jannine, including photographing the performances; and going on cruises with friends and family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Jannine Berman-Ragan; son Ken (Melissa); sister Mary Kerrigan; brother George Ragan; nieces Laura (Jim) Williams, Theresa (Leo) Chau, Margaret Dunlap and Susan Kerrigan; brother-in-law Leslie (Dorothy) Berman; many other beloved family members and friends; and their 2 cats, Pierre and Whiskers.
Family and friends may gather on Monday, January 13, between 10am and 11am, at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home, 1010 Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne; live-streamed service at 11am on Brownlie-Maxwell Facebook page . A graveside service will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 U.S. 1 South, Rockledge. Reception to follow the burial.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to HOPE for Brevard Feline Rescue (www.hopeforbrevard.com/donate) in Jim’s memory.
James & AlinaCowl
from FORT LAUDERDALE wrote on January 15, 2025:
Our thoughts and prayers to you and family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. He will be missed with love from Jim and Alina
Barry Stein
from Cooper City wrote on January 13, 2025:
Jan, Heidi and I were honored to attend Jim’s service today. He touched so many lives with his caring positive attitude. He took advantage of each day in his life enriching people’s lives at the Dojo, aminal rescue, church , home and with family and friends..
We pray that your heart slowly heals and know that we love you .
Melissa HG
from Raleigh NC wrote on January 13, 2025:
Jim was there when Jannine & I needed him. Not everyone in one’s life will do that.
I met Jim at the Melbourne cat shelter, when my car battery died.
I’d just met Jannine hours before. When she saw my car wouldn’t start, she called Jim to come with jumper cables. She stayed with me far beyond her shift so I wouldn’t be lonely or alone.
The depth of confidence and trust in her voice reassured me that Jim would be there ASAP. She had full faith in him coming to the rescue, and he did.
Being trustworthy and dependable is underrated. But those qualities emanate from a loving heart.
And that waa Jim.
Clara Larsen
from Morganton wrote on January 13, 2025:
I'm so glad you and Jim visited and I got a chance to meet him. He was a terrific guy. Glad you two had so many good years together and that you found each other.
Keily & Andy Thompson
from Melbourne , Fl 32934 wrote on January 13, 2025:
Jim & Jan are incredible friends & neighbors. Jim will be missed a lot. I will never forget him taking our family pictures w/ all the dogs & Pearl the horse. Being so good to our kids Brooke , Courtney & Jenna. We love you Jan & will be praying for you & your family.
Love , Keily & Andy Thompson
maurice Rouede
from San Francisco wrote on January 13, 2025:
Good brother in law. Good friend! Jim will be missed by the entire Rouede Family. What a guy!
David J Ellis
from Palm Bay wrote on January 12, 2025:
Jim will be missed.
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers!
Robin Litman
from Melbourne wrote on January 11, 2025:
Jonathan and I first met you and Jan at The King Center. We quickly became friends as we shared our common love for live music and the Arts. From this a friendship grew. Your love and expertise for photography quickly became noted by me! For our 25th wedding anniversary, you put our wedding album on a disc and set it to Our wedding song "If" by Bread. Every year on our anniversary we sat together and looked at our album that year was extra special, I got to surprise Jonathan with the disk you made! I cherish that disc today even more than the day you made it for more than one reason now. When Jonathan became ill you and Jan both were always available to me for anything that I needed. It only made sense that I would turn to you once again, for his Celebration of Life when he made his transition! Indeed, what a celebration it was, another beautiful tribute was
made by Jim of his life and set to beautiful amazing music that only someone like Jim could have known after getting to know Jonathan! Thank you Jim for being a beautiful Loving Light And I know you will continue to be Love and Light on the other side 💕❤️🙌🙏
Sue Rice
from Melbourne wrote on January 11, 2025:
Gone too soon.He will be dearly missed. My deepest condolences to Jannine and the family.
Sue Rice
from Melbourne wrote on January 11, 2025:
He will br dearly missed. My deepest condolences
Becki Wetzel
wrote on January 11, 2025:
I've hugged you both a million times at a million shows. I'm sending you all my hugs right now. May Merlin cast his spell ☮️🎼💜
John Casko
from Melbourne wrote on January 11, 2025:
Jim will be missed at the Thrift Shop. Over the years Jim worked in many capacities and was well liked.
May God send his blessings to Jim's family and give them comfort.
Shelly
from Palm Bay wrote on January 11, 2025:
I will miss seeing his smiling face, gentle manner, and guidance at the rock workshop. My thoughts are with those who were dear to him..
Stephanie Murphy
from W. Melbourne wrote on January 10, 2025:
Deepest sympathies to Jannine and the entire family. I talked to Jim just a few days before his passing--he was so looking forward to a dinner/dance/reunion of his high school the next week. He was so very active in many different activities and will be sorely missed.
Mary and Ed Kinberg
from Satellite Beach wrote on January 10, 2025:
We knew Jim through CMGS. He always jumped in to help and always did a thorough job. He was always fun, cheerful and just a pleasure to be around. Jannine, we're so sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sally Walker
from Melbourne wrote on January 9, 2025:
Jim was such a great friend. He always made me smile. He will be missed❤
Ed Vazquez
from Palm Bay wrote on January 8, 2025:
Deepest condolences my dear friend Jan, my prayers for you.
Jim is missed, he was a very good guy.
Deborah S Jorgensen
from MELBOURNE VILLAGE wrote on January 8, 2025:
I have known Jim for quite a long time through the CMGS. I enjoyed seeing him get better and better at designing jewelry, and faceting, which he became a teacher. We always thought we knew each other from high school. Which is funny because we didn't. He was such a nice person and he will surely be missed by many.
Christopher Taylor
from Winter Haven wrote on January 7, 2025:
I first met Jim on the Central Junior High Football team and later got to know him much better on the wrestling team at EGHS. For those three years we had just about the worst team in Brevard County, which had zero effect on the camaraderie and friendship we shared. Sadly, I lost contact after High School. In recent years we have been exchanging messages on Facebook. Through Jim's posts I got a small window into him living his best life. Let me offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends for their loss and congratulate them for having been part of Jim's life.
Roxanna Wandersee
from Melbourne wrote on January 6, 2025:
Jim was a wonderful man. I am so fortunate to have known him. He helped us immensely at Hope Thrift Store. He and Jannine were a dynamic team. He was generous and friendly to everyone he met. Jannine was right there with him in perfect stride.
Jim is no longer with us, but I feel certain his warm and caring smile is not far away.
Born on August 4, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois.
