Thomas Eugene "Ted" Darragh

Unknown - May 27th, 2010
  • Birth Date: Unknown
  • Death Date: May 27, 2010
  • Funeral Date: Unknown
  • Location:
  • Print this Obituary

Biography: Thomas Eugene “Ted” Darragh, age 89, of Little Rock, died May 27, 2010. He was born in Little Rock to the late Frederick Kramer and Valeria Skillern Darragh. Ted was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy, attended Hendrix College and the University of Arizona before joining the Army Air Corps in 1943 as a Lieutenant piloting B-25s. After the war he returned to Little Rock to the family business, eventually becoming President and Board Chairman of Darragh Company. He was also General Manager of Darragh Investment Company. Of his many business associations he was most proud of his past presidency of the Arkansas Feed Manufacturers, Arkansas Poultry Federation, Arkansas Farm and Ranch Club and board member of Arkansas State Fair, American Egg Board and Poultry and Egg National Board. His civic activities included president of Day Services for the Handicapped of Pulaski County and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arkansas, chairman of the Capital Fund Committee for United Way, Trustee of Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, Trustee and Vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and co-chairman of the Retreat Singers of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral who performed throughout the world including for the King of Sweden. Ted was awarded the Mrs. Dave Terry’s Humanitarian Award, Richard Stein’s Cerebral Palsy Memorial Award, Poultry Man of the Year – Arkansas Poultry Federation, Bishop’s Cross from the Episcopal Diocese, Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow and was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame. Ted loved duck hunting and piloting for 40 years, but his most treasured activity had to be playing golf. He had 10 holes in one, 39 twos on par four holes and a 9 under 63 at Conway. In 1950, in one week he broke the course record at Conway Country Club, shooting a 67, 5 under par, tied Rock Creek Golf Club 9 hole course with a 31, 4 under par, tied course record of Country Club of Little Rock shooting a 66, 5 under par. Of the 20 golf tournaments he won at the Country Club of Little Rock, he most notably was Junior Champion 2 times, Club Champion 6times and Senior Club Champion 3 times. He was a 4 time winner of the State Seniors 4-Ball Championship and once won the Arizona State Open. He qualified and played in the USGA Senior Championship at Denver, CO. Some of the famous golfers he played with were Gary Player, Bob Hope, Davis Love, Jr., Lionel Ebert, Miller Barber and Dutch Harrison. He served as chairman of the committee that oversaw the building of Rebsamen Park Golf Course. Membership in many golf associations included the World Golf Association, Mexican Golf Association, Southern Golf Association, was President of the Arkansas State Golf Association for 7 years and a Director of Central Arkansas Pro-Am for 50 years. Ted was a United States Golf Association Committee Member since 1961 and served as a Rules Official at numerous USGA Championships including the US OPEN, US Senior’s Open, Mid-Amateur, Amateur and Public Links. In 1978 he served as National Chairman of the USGA Girl’s Championship held at Pleasant Valley Country Club. He received the Ike Grainger USGA Service Award, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Meritorious Award and was inducted into the Arkansas State Golf Association Hall of Fame. He was director and rules official for the local US OPEN Qualifying and many ASGA tournaments. Ted is survived by his wife, Barbara Acker “Babs” Darragh of Little Rock; sister, Louisa Preston of Richmond, VA; sons, F. Kramer Darragh, III and wife, Ida, Little Rock and Benjamin Dickinson “Dick” Darragh and wife, Tracy, Plano, TX; stepdaughters, Mary Worthen Penick Hodges and husband, Henry, Little Rock, Barbara Acker Penick McNamee and husband, James, Madrid, Spain; stepson, James H. Penick, III and wife, Vivian, Little Rock; grandchildren, Thomas E. Darragh, III and wife, Amy, Little Rock, Molly Rose Darragh Smith and husband, Jared, Bentonville, AR, Lillian Valeria “Lily” Darragh, Little Rock, Page Genevieve and Benjamin Dickinson “Ben” Darragh, Jr., Plano, TX; step-grandchildren, Lt. Henry Hodges, Jr., San Diego, CA, Acker Hodges Bell and husband, Christopher, Little Rock, Daniel McNamee and wife, Virginia, Charlotte, NC, Katherine McNamee Cornelius and husband, Jeremy, Nashville, TN, and Mary Elizabeth McNamee, Madrid, Spain, Katy, Clare and Eliza Penick, Little Rock; great grandchildren, Anna, Audrey and Robert Darragh, Little Rock; step great grandchildren, Penick and Mary Sullivan Bell, Little Rock, Riley McNamee, Charlotte, NC and Wyatt Cornelius, Nashville, TN. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, son, Thomas Eugene “Teddy” Darragh, Jr., the mother of his children, Genevieve Dickinson Darragh, and brother, Fred K. Darragh, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Chester Lowe, Jr., George Nowotny, Tom Pugh, Bill Terry, Bob Thoren, Chuck Wallace, Randy Wilbourn, Robert Wilson and Gordon Wittenberg. The family is grateful to Dr. Bart Barlogie and the staff at UAMS for their outstanding care and support. The family also appreciates the special care from Terri Ruffin and her staff. There will be a memorial service held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 29, 2010, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral followed by burial at Mount Holly Cemetery, officiated by The Very Reverend Jonathon Jensen and The Reverend Dr. J. Russell Snapp. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com Memorials may be made to Teddy Darragh Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Inc., 9720 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, AR 72227, Arkansas State Golf Association, Ted Darragh Scholarship Fund, #3 Eagle Hill Court, Ste. B, Little Rock, AR 72210 or Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th Street, Little Rock, AR 72206. Because he loved, there will be tears. Because he laughed, there will be memories. Because he lived, there will still be joy. One day at a time, let the love he shared carry you through.

Condolences(13)
Tammy Hirby
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My condolences to the family. I didnt know any of you but I knew Mr Darragh when I was a child. My father Harvey 'Cowboy' Hirby drove delivery truck and my mom Marian Hirby worked for the Arkansas Egg Company cleaning the plant and we lived in the house right there on the farm. Mr Darragh was a formidible figure in my childhood. He was such a nice guy. I will remember him always.
Sharon & Rachel Taylor
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Babs-
We are so sorry to hear of Teds passing. He will truly be missed. All our love to you and the family.
Sharon & Rachel
Dottie Swope Moon
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
He was a blessing to many and will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dottie
Father Allen and Melinda Bates
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dearest family and friends,

Mr Darragh or " Papa Darragh" as we called him, was like a second father to both my wife, Melinda and myself, especially during our years as Retreat Singers. He was a glorious and wonderful friend and person and we are so blessed to have had the extraordinary opportunity to know him so very well and to experience his unique and giving love. We are ever blessed by his loving presence and guidance.

Devotedly,

Father Allen and Melinda Bates, Rogers, AR
Lynn McNamee Oatman
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Babs and Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We were so sorry to hear about Ted. He was a wonderful man. May God provide you with peace and comfort during this time and in the days to come.
All our love,
Lynn and Buzz Oatman
Charolette Trujillo RN
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Family:

The above picture (always smiling)is the memory I will always care in my heart of Mr. Darragh. I had the pleasure to be his nurse and get to know him only a short time but his upbeat attitude and kindness was striking. I am sure your faith will care you through this time. He was a geniune treasure to care for.
Sincerely,
Charolette Trujillo RN UAMS
Mitchiel Knapp
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
It has been both an honor and pleasure to have known Mr. Ted Darragh for approximately 21 years. I am going to miss his greeting me always with a smile and a "how are you doing today?" He taught me a lot about how to handle a professional relationship with clients.
BeBe & Pinkney Deal
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Our love to all the family
Jan Woods Eastwood
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Mr. Darragh was a special man to our entire family and he will be missed. Please know that our love and prayers for peace and comfort are with you all at this difficult time. My love is sent from myself and my mother, Martha Woods (Mrs. J. Attly Woods).
Greg & Eva Lathrop
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We will miss Ted's smile, his honorable approach to everything he encountered, his friendship and his humor. Please accept our condolences at this tremendous loss. We are conforted that now he is likely at the first tee of the greatest course he has ever played!
Dr. & Mrs. H. F. "Bunny" Brown, III
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Babs and Family,
June and I send our deepest sympathy and we know that Ted is no longer in pain, can see every shot he is making on that grear golf course in Heaven and is shooting way below par. May you and your family be comforted in your grief.
June and Bunny
Kevin Collins
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Babs, so very sorry for your loss. My mind wanders back to 1982 when precious Claire and I were maried and shorlty thereafter Mr. Penick died. Time flies...many sad times but many more good times to remember. My heart aches for you but I am sending a big hug via this message. God Bless you in this time and, a special thank you for the kindness you always showed me. P.S. I laugh every time I remember Joan spying on you from her "nook" when you started dating Ted. She would get so tickled watching the action and probably with Phyllis in her lap!
David & Mary Lois Rick
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Leave your Condolence






* Enter verification code
Mathematical catpcha image
=
Top