The Roanoke community gathered Sunday at Oakey’s Funeral Service to honor Ragnar, a golden retriever who served as a therapy dog for grieving families and died in early May after a battle with cancer.

Ragnar worked at the funeral home from 2018 until his retirement in 2025, attending more than 1,000 services and offering comfort to mourners throughout the region.

His remembrance featured photos, flowers, and tributes celebrating his gentle presence and lasting impact.

“He just lived an extraordinary life, impacted a lot of people around Roanoke and beyond,” said his owner, Sam Oakey. Family and community members described an outpouring of support and said Ragnar’s legacy of comfort will live on.

wsls.com