Television Pioneer Gene Ragan Dies

A man who spent decades on Dothan television died Friday.  Gene Ragan passed away, leaving behind memories that viewers will cherish for years to come.

Ragan launched an evening television agriculture show on WTVY in 1958.  "We got it going on Saturday night at 7:30.  Back then you could do a farm show at that time but (the stations) would not take it now," said Ragan during an interview with WDHN in 2007.  Prior to beginning his television career, he spent five years hosting a radio program.

The show would move to a slightly earlier time on Saturday when primetime took over his slot and a noon program was added.  "Farm wives, for a number of years, would stay at home and they would take care of kids and cook meals and the meals would be ready by 11:45," said WDHN's Charlie Platt, a lifelong friend of Ragan.  "The farm husband would come in and, at noon, he would be in front of the television watching Gene Ragan." 

Agriculture got into Gene's blood at an early age and never got out.  He started showing cattle when he was just a boy.   Then, Gene got an idea.  "People went to fairs and shows to see cattle and other animals so I figured they'd probably watch it on television."  And watch it they did---Gene Ragan's television career went non-stop until 1998.  Its 40 years made it the longest running agriculture show in television history.  He was a member of the Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Funeral services for Gene Ragan will be announced. He was 88 years old.

Click on video above this story to watch a 2007 story featuring Gene Ragan