Vernon Lynn Wagoner Jr.

1949 - 2015

Vernon Lynn Wagoner, Jr.

Vernon Lynn Wagoner, Jr. was born in Lafayette, Indiana on July 6, 1949. He graduated from Southwestern High School in 1967 with his sweetie Joyce Wall with whom he was reunited after the passing of his beautiful force of a wife Teresa Wagoner. He was such a loving husband. Vernon was an alum of Purdue University where he graduated with his Masters in Elementary Education. Go Boilermakers! Vernon and Teresa united in marriage July 2, 1971. From that marriage Eric Wagoner, Adrienne Parker and Lauryl Wagoner were born and in 2003 they adopted Amanda Wagoner. He was such a loving father. In 1979, Vernon made Lonedell, Missouri home which is where he first taught Math and then became principal. Go Bobcats! Vernon's passion was for the education of the children of Lonedell until he became a Title-I Math teacher and a principal for St. Clair Elementary. Go Bulldogs! Vernon not only cared so much for the children but also the teachers. He loved his teachers and kept in contact with them until the end. He was a teddy bear, a disciplinarian and the giver of his amazing homemade cheesecakes. Vernon Wagoner could cook! After Vernon retired, he and Teresa moved to the Florida Keys where they volunteered their time as campground hosts, something they dreamed of doing since their kids were little. It is in Florida where he lost Teresa. It is in Florida where he planned to live the rest of his life with his dear friend Joyce. He left us all way too soon. Vernon Wagoner passed away unexpectedly on February 5, 2015. He is survived by his children, his grandchildren Ashton, Castle, Decker, Vena, Austin, Vivianne and Juniper; his sweetie Joyce and his dear sisters Mary and Pat. He also left behind two beautiful rescue greyhounds, Wendy and Traci. His heart was immense. We invite you to join us in celebration of his loving spirit July 10, 2015 at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 6pm. Please bring stories and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating money to help support the Backpack Program Vernon Wagoner started which provides weekend nutritional backpacks for food-insecure children in the St. Clair school district. The family thanks Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for their support and continuation of this project.