Patio Pools & Spas
Patio Pools 55 Years of Innovation & Excellence in Southern Arizona
Pioneering Founder, “E.R.” Gene Ragel Sr. began building swimming pools in Tucson, Arizona, in 1946 alongside Johnny Austad of Austad Steel Company. Their early work included poured-concrete pools and water tanks, establishing one of Tucson’s first custom pool operations. In 1958, Gene and Jack Wilson founded “Oasis Pools,” which became “Ragel/Wilson Pools” before evolving into the renowned Patio Pools & Spas.
In 1969, Gene Sr. returned to Tucson to manage a new venture under Shasta Pools. Within a year, he and business partner Jon Evans purchased the operation and rebranded it as Patio Pools, committing to affordable, high-quality custom pools that redefined the Southern Arizona market.
That vision and commitment to craftsmanship made Patio Pools & Spas the region’s leading custom pool builder within a year. Their expansion included retail stores and a new category of acrylic spas and patio furniture. By 1978, the team set company records with 817 pool projects completed in a single year, and in 1972, Patio Pools was inducted into the prestigious Master Pools Guild, an elite global network of pool builders.
Following Gene Sr.’s passing in 1982, his wife Dorothy ensured the business remained stable and thriving. It was Gene Ragel Jr., their son, who would ultimately guide the company into its modern era.
55+
Years of experience
15000
Completed pools
150+
Design Awards
1969
Trusted Since
E. R. (Gene) Ragel Jr.
Master Builder, Visionary Leader
Gene Ragel Jr. is one of Tucson’s most respected pool builders. Under his leadership and alongside his wife Nicole Ragel, the company flourished. Gene bought out former partners and reinvested heavily in the company’s reputation, quality, and service. With Gene Jr. at the helm, Patio Pools has has earned the distinction of being the largest, most trusted pool builder in Southern Arizona:
Built more than 15,000 pools across Southern Arizona
Won more than 150 national and international design awards, including:
Expanded retail and service operations, maintaining Tucson’s top-rated spa division
Led the industry in innovation, specializing in complex residential and commercial pool construction, restoration, and remodeling.
Patio Pools & Spas Today
Today, the company’s tradition of excellence continues with the next generation. Eugene “E.R.” Ragel, Gene’s son, now leads construction and restoration operations. E.R. carries forward the family’s reputation for precision, reliability, and elite craftsmanship.
Now over 55 years strong, Patio Pools & Spas remains Southern Arizona’s largest and most awarded custom pool and spa company. With five operational divisions—Construction, Remodeling, Service, Retail, and Spas—the company continues to serve both residential and commercial clients throughout the region.
Led by Gene and Nicole Ragel, the business thrives on the same principles that defined its founding: hard work, integrity, and masterful craftsmanship. Their legacy lives on through E.R. and the talented team who help make backyard dreams a reality—one pool at a time.
Founding and Early Years
1940s–1960s
Patio Pools & Spas traces its roots to the post-World War II era, when founder Gene Ragel Sr. began building swimming pools in Tucson in 1946 alongside Johnny Austad of Austad Steel. In those early years, Ragel and Austad pioneered poured-concrete pool construction, even building water tanks and fallout shelters with innovative steel forms. By 1958, Gene Ragel Sr. and partner Jack Wilson left Austad Steel to establish Ragel-Wilson Pools, focusing on residential pools as shotcrete technology emerged. Between 1959 and 1963, Ragel Sr. was constructing approximately 75 pools per year in Tucson, before briefly moving to Phoenix to design pools for Paddock Pools.
The “Patio Pools” brand story began in 1969, when Shasta Pools hired Ragel Sr. to manage a new Tucson venture named Patio Pools. Instead of returning to Phoenix’s booming market, Ragel seized the opportunity to purchase Patio Pools in 1970. He partnered with Jon Evans to buy the company and immediately refocused it on custom pools built to the highest quality standards at affordable prices.
Within the first year under Ragel’s leadership, Patio Pools had already become Southern Arizona’s largest residential pool and spa builder, a remarkable achievement that marked the beginning of a legacy of excellence.
Rapid Growth
1970s
The 1970s were a decade of rapid expansion and innovation for Patio Pools & Spas. Buoyed by its early success with Tucson pool buyers, the company soon opened its first full-service retail pool supply store in the early ‘70s. This retail outlet carried pool chemicals, accessories, and patio furniture, and even introduced Tucson to a new luxury: above-ground acrylic hot tubs.
Patio Pools also joined the prestigious Master Pools Guild in 1972, aligning itself with an international network of elite pool builders committed to the highest standards.
Throughout the decade, demand continued to surge. In 1978, Patio Pools completed a record 817 pool projects in a single year – a testament to its reputation and capacity. By the end of the 1970s, the company had expanded to a total of five retail stores across Southern Arizona to meet the growing needs of pool and spa owners.
These milestones solidified Patio Pools’ status as the region’s dominant pool builder, known for both construction excellence and convenient customer service.
Perseverance and Family Legacy
1980s
Entering the 1980s, Patio Pools & Spas remained a family-driven business committed to its core values. In 1980, Gene Ragel Sr. bought out his partner, Jon Evans, gaining full ownership of the company.
Challenges soon arose as a severe economic recession hit; interest rates spiked above 20%, and many competitors were forced out of business. Yet Patio Pools persevered – “soldiering on” through the downturn – thanks to its solid reputation and loyal customer base.
Tragedy struck in 1982 when Gene Ragel Sr. passed away unexpectedly. At this critical juncture, his wife Dorothy Ragel stepped in to lead the company, supported by their children and an experienced management team.
Under Dorothy’s guidance, Patio Pools continued to grow steadily throughout the 1980s, upholding the high standards set by Gene Sr. The Ragel family’s active involvement became a hallmark of the business. By the end of the decade, Gene Ragel Jr. was preparing to carry his father’s legacy forward.
This era cemented Patio Pools & Spas as not only a resilient company able to weather economic storms, but a true family enterprise dedicated to quality and customer service across generations.
Continued Expansion and Innovation
1990s–2000s
During the 1990s and 2000s, Patio Pools & Spas built on its legacy with strategic expansion, industry leadership, and a haul of professional accolades. In 1995, the company broadened its reach by acquiring a location in Sierra Vista, extending its services to customers in that growing Southern Arizona community.
By this time, Gene Ragel Jr. had assumed the role of President, with his wife Nicole Ragel joining as Vice President and their son Eugene “ER” Ragel III actively involved – marking three generations in the family business. Patio Pools’ commitment to excellence earned widespread recognition. The company became known as the oldest and largest pool builder in Southern Arizona, and its design prowess was celebrated nationally and internationally.
In 2009, as Patio Pools marked its 40th anniversary in Tucson, it was honored at a global competition sponsored by the Master Pools Guild, winning three gold medals, four silver, and one bronze for its innovative residential pool and spa designs.
These accolades brought Patio’s total trophy count to over 150 awards by that time. In addition, the company received a bronze award from the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) for a popular Tucson resort pool, highlighting its excellence in commercial projects as well.
Throughout the 2000s, Patio Pools continued to innovate by embracing new technologies and services. It introduced energy-efficient equipment options and expanded its product offerings to include top-of-the-line portable spas.
By combining full backyard design/build services with retail stores and a robust service department, Patio Pools positioned itself as Southern Arizona’s one-stop shop for pools and spas. By the end of the 2000s, Patio Pools & Spas had built more than 17,000 swimming pools and installed over 9,000 spas in the Tucson area, all while upholding an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau every year since 1970.
Modern Milestones and Community Impact
2010s–2020s
The 2010s brought significant milestones. In 2013, Patio Pools constructed the largest Pebble Tec® pool surface in Southern Arizona – an 11,327-square-foot aquatic project holding 246,540 gallons – which earned a Gold Medal in the APSP International Awards of Excellence. The company broadened its spa offerings, becoming an authorized dealer for premium Marquis Spas by 2015.
In 2019, Patio Pools entered a forward-thinking partnership with Poolwerx, the world’s largest pool service franchise, to enhance its retail and service operations. In March 2020, Patio Pools & Spas celebrated 50 years in business, crediting its half-century of success to staying true to Gene Sr.’s founding values: top-quality construction, excellent products and service, valuing employees, and supporting the community.
In 2024, Patio Pools earned induction into the AQUA 100 – an honor awarded to just 10 pool and spa retailers across North America each year. This award recognized Patio Pools as one of the nation’s “diamonds of excellence” in retail.
Today, Patio Pools & Spas remains locally owned and operated by the Ragel family. The company operates three comprehensive retail and service centers and continues to offer custom pool design/construction, renovations, maintenance, repairs, and a full line of pool and spa supplies.
It has invested heavily in staff expertise, with over 20 employees certified as Certified Pool Operators (CPO). Free “Pool School” seminars are hosted year-round, and an innovative customer rewards program thanks loyal clients with discounts and exclusive offers. The company has consistently achieved near-perfect customer satisfaction ratings, with 100% of surveyed customers recently indicating they would recommend Patio Pools to others.
Awards and Accolades
Member of the Master Pools Guild since 1972
150+ Design and Construction Awards by 2009
Multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from Master Pools Guild and APSP
A+ Rating and BBB Accreditation continuously since 1970
2024 AQUA 100 Award Inductee
Recognized for building the largest Pebble Tec® pool in Southern Arizona
Community Involvement and Local Impact
Patio Pools & Spas has always been deeply committed to philanthropy and civic engagement. We’re honored to give back to the loyal and supportive Southern Arizona community that has helped make our company successful. Patio Pools regularly provides support to many organizations including the American Liver Foundation, Tucson Medical Center’s Miracle Children’s Network, the Arizona Heart Foundation, Cowboys for Causes, and as always, we are a consistent supporter of drowning prevention.
American Liver Foundation
Arizona Heart Foundation
Children’s Miracle Network at Tucson Medical Center
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
Special Olympics of Southern Arizona
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Local little league baseball sponsorships
Drowning prevention and water safety initiatives
Patio Pools empowers employees to help choose the causes it supports, ensuring authentic, meaningful community partnerships. The company’s impact on Tucson and surrounding areas extends well beyond backyard transformations – it actively builds a stronger, safer, and more vibrant community.
A Reputation for Quality, Service, and Lifelong Relationships
Patio Pools & Spas maintains a steadfast focus on high-quality craftsmanship, personal service, and customer relationships that span generations.
Whether helping homeowners build their dream pools, maintain pristine water quality, or renovate beloved outdoor spaces decades later, the company’s mission remains the same: deliver excellence and build lifelong bonds.
From first consultation to final swim – and years beyond – Patio Pools has proven that integrity, expertise, and a true connection to community are the keys to enduring success.
Patio Pools & Spas Timeline
Financing Options
At Patio Pools, we make it easier to bring your backyard vision to life with flexible financing options for new pools, spas, and renovations. Whether you’re building from scratch or upgrading your current setup, we partner with trusted lenders offering low fixed rates, long-term loans, and fast approvals—plus, you’re welcome to use your own bank or credit union.
Lyon Financial
Low, fixed rates — no variables Terms up to 30 years*
Amounts up to $200,000*
Options for 625+ FICO scores Special military programs available No 3-6% consulting fees like other finance options charge
Unsecured loans — no equity or appraisals required
Partner with homeowner and builder until project completion
ApplyLightStream Financing
This is a national lender that specializes in pool and outdoor project financing that also has special offers for our customers. If you have over a 700 point credit rating, you can get a great rate rate and up to an 84 month term.
ApplyHFS Financial
Unsecured personal loans
Loans up to $250,000
Terms up to 15 years
Fund any home improvement in one day
ApplyChoose Your Own!
If you already have a credit union or bank that is willing to offer a home improvement, swimming pool loan or line of credit. In fact, At Patio Pools, you’re welcome to use any lender you like. Our payment terms are by phase, thus, in our 55+ years of business NO customer has been left with an unfinished pool.