Linda K.R. Kercado

Linda Kay Ragsdale Kercado, 75, an Iowa native and longtime resident of Hot Springs, died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at her home.

Born in Des Moines, Linda and her brother, James H. Ragsdale, moved to the resort city from Newton, Iowa, with their parents, Theodric H. and Irene H. Ragsdale, who owned and operated the historic Taylor Rosamond Motel on Park Avenue for a number of years.

A 1960 Hot Springs High School graduate, Linda was an associate editor of the high school annual, the Old Gold Book, a member of the Troubadours, and several academic and service organizations, including Mu Alpha Theta, the Junior Classical League, the Anchor Club and Beta Club.

She was graduated in 1964 from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and later worked in the Personnel Department at Timex Co. in Little Rock.

Her innate artistic abilities, especially in photography, manifested themselves during the 13plus years she and her husband, Robert C. “Bob” Kercado, lived in England, Holland and Denmark, and as they traveled extensively throughout Europe and to other parts of the world.

In Hot Springs, Linda’s love of live theater, along with her partnership with Mark Britton and their Marlin Production Co., became the genesis for The Pocket Community Theatre Inc., after they and owners of the former Hot Springs Factory Outlet Mall, presented “Love Rides the Rails” in 1991.

An accomplished craftsperson, Linda was for many years a familiar figure at the annual Arts & Crafts Fair here and she also managed her own online crafts business.

She and her husband were passionate advocates for groups and programs that aid neglected and abused animals and they opened their home to two rescue cats and three rescue dogs.

Preceded in death by her parents, Linda is survived by her husband of 45 years, Robert C. “Bob” Kercado, her brother, James H. Ragsdale, of Dallas, and by a host of friends.

The family wishes to acknowledge the kindnesses of Dr. John W. Sorrels and the staff of Hot Springs Internal Medicine Clinic and Dr. Tim Webb and the staff of Genesis Cancer Center.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Gross Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an animal shelter or animal rescue organization of the donor’s choice.

Online obituary and guestbook is available at http://www.grossfuneralhome.com.