Dr. Lonnie A. Waggoner Jr.

Dr. Lonnie A. Waggoner, Jr.
GASTONIA -- Dr. Waggoner, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday January 26, 2006.
A native of Charlotte, NC, he was born in 1924 and was son of the late Eva Maye Thomas Waggoner and Lonnie A. Waggoner, Sr. He attended Charlotte public schools and graduated from Central High School as Salutatorian and president of the Honor Society. He attended Duke University, was treasurer of the Freshman Class, president of the Phi Eta Sigma freshman honorary fraternity and a member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity.
During WWII, he enlisted in the Duke V-12 Naval Unit, and graduated from Duke Medical School where he was a member of Phi Chi social fraternity. He went to Johns Hopkins for a straight medical internship, and to the NC Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem for 24 months of straight medical residency and 12 months of gastroenterology fellowship. He left training for 2 years to volunteer in the US Air Force during the Korean War and rose to Captain in the Medical Corps.
He came to Gastonia with his wife Rachel Palmer Waggoner, a Duke RNBSN, daughter, Nancy Ann and son Lonnie A. Waggoner, III in 1954 at a time when there were no other internal medical doctors in Gastonia. He designed and built his first office on West Second Avenue, and practiced solo for 2 years; then brought in the first of some nine partners. After 2 years, he took written and oral exams to become a certified specialist in Internal Medicine. He was recertified on two subsequent occasions. He built his second office on York Rd and his third and final office on Remount Rd.
While in practice, he was president of the Gaston Memorial Hospital staff and the Gaston County Medical Society. He campaigned heavily for the move of the hospital to its present location and was very involved in designing the original Intensive Care and Coronary Care units. He was very active in the Heart Society beginning early in his practice, serving as president twice, receiving the Golden Heart Award and becoming an honorary board member. He was on the Council of Aging for many years and president twice. He served many terms on the Schiele Museum of Natural History board of directors, and on United Way committees. He was a charter member of First Community Bank board of directors and the Habitat for Humanity board of directors of which he was president twice. He was president and board of director's member of the Rotary Club of Gastonia where he was a Paul.
Harris Fellow, and voted Rotarian of the Year. The Rotary Club of Gastonia celebrated its 75th Anniversary by developing ROTELL, in a successful effort to promote the presence of illiteracy. All these events occurred during the year of his presidency.
Also, Dr. Waggoner served terms as a board of director's member of The Glenn Foundation, and The Community Foundation Inc.
Rachel & Lonnie have been faithful members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since 1954. He was president and member of the church council and headed the drive to build the Parish Life Center. They moved to Covenant Village Retirement Community where he served as president of the Resident's Association. He enjoyed reading, gardening, exercising and golfing, though he never attained his hoped for handicap of 14. Most of all, he loved the Lord and was proud of and grateful for his family.
In addition to his beloved wife Rachel P. Waggoner of 57 years, his daughter, Nancy and her husband Joe Bosch and son, Lon and his wife Martha survive him. He was a proud grandfather of Matt Bosch, Allison Bosch, Rett Waggoner, Alex Waggoner and Austin Waggoner. His sister-in-law, Jane Waggoner also survives him.
His brother, O. Thomas Waggoner, preceded him in death.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Monday, January 30, 2006 at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Reverend Braxton East and Pastor Brenda Bynum will officiate.
Honorary pallbearers will be retired physicians, Men's Bible class members, and The Rotary Club of Gastonia.
A private family committal service will be held at Gaston Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at Covenant Village Sunday January 29, 2006 from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Memorials may be made to: The Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Endowment through The Community Foundation of Gaston County N.C., 1201 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054; Holy Trinity Endowment Fund, 805 S. York St. Gastonia, NC 28052 or charity of choice. McLean Funeral Directors is serving the family of Dr. Waggoner.