Clifford Wagoner

Clifford Wagoner
September 3, 1920 - May 15, 2018
Clifford Andrew Wagoner was born in East Nicolaus, Sutter County, CA in 1920 and moved to Modesto in 1927. Clifford attended Stanislaus Union School and graduated from Modesto High School in 1939.
He is survived by: his daughter, Shirley (Tim) Isham, and son, Darryl; grandsons David and Alan (Theresa) Isham; great-grandchildren Ken (Rebecca), Emily, Allison, and Alex; great-great-grandchildren Tyler and Paxton. He is also survived by his sister Mary Webb Taylor, brother-in-law, Joe McConnell, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years and 8 months, Myrtle; his parents, John P. and Esther Wagoner; and his brothers, Jesse and James Wagoner.
He was the first employee hired by Del Rio Golf and Country Club in 1946. He was a dedicated employee at Del Rio for over 30 years as Golf Course Superintendent and General Manager. He was President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and a member for 63 years. He helped launch the certification program for superintendents, being among the first to earn the Certified Golf Course Superintendents (CGCS) status. He served on various committees and was awarded the GCSAA's Distinguished Service Award in 1985. He was honored for his career by the Northern California, Central California and Sierra Nevada chapters of GCSAA in 2014 as a true icon and pioneer of the profession. The GCSANC has honored Clifford and Myrtle for all of their contributions for the betterment of the superintendent's profession by naming their annual scholarship and research event: Annual Clifford & Myrtle Wagoner Scholarship and Research Tournament.
He was a lifetime member and served as both president and treasurer of Modesto Ski Club. He was instrumental in purchasing and overseeing the building of the Modesto Ski Club Lodge in Truckee, CA.
He was a lifetime member serving as president of the Modesto Area Model A Club. He logged over 50,000 miles in his two personally restored Model A's.
Hand in hand and side by side, he and Myrtle traveled the world by car, motorhome, Model A, train, plane, boat, and camel. They visited all 50 states, Canada, Europe, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia.
His hobbies and skills were many. He water skied, snow skied (until 85), played tennis, camped, hunted deer, and could "fix anything." He was always there to lend a helping hand -- never expecting anything in return!
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Annual Clifford & Myrtle Wagoner Scholarship and Research Fund, make checks payable to GCSANC and mail to 2215 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 or Optimal Hospice, 1101 Sylvan Ave #B-10, Modesto, CA 95350 for the love and care they gave our family. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be Friday, June 1, 2018, 11:00a.m., at Del Rio Country Club, 801 Stewart Road, Modesto, CA 95356.
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