James Curtis "Jim" Waggoner

1935 - 2026

Sartell, Minnesota - If you didn't have the opportunity to know and love Jim, we're sorry. Jim was a smart, loving, funny - simply put - wonderful man. James Curtis Waggoner, Sr. was born in Long Beach, California, on January 17, 1935, to Curtis and RosaLee (Teach) Waggoner. He was an only child surrounded by his Teach grandparents, aunts, and an uncle - all who called him Jimmy.

When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Albany, Oregon. He described his life in Oregon as idyllic. In Albany, Jim met his oldest friend, Bill Saylor - they were quite a pair. He loved his time in the Boy Scouts and traveled across the country for the Boy Scout Jamboree. During this trip, he was honored to meet President Truman. He graduated from Albany High School.

Jim went to Oregon State College, where he graduated with a degree in Business and a minor in Chemical Engineering. He was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In college, Rich Torson became a long-time friend who set him up on a very important blind date and was the best man at Jim's wedding.

Some have said he also majored in "Audrey" at OSC. Jim and Audrey met on a Halloween-themed blind date. Together they smuggled beer into the party, hidden in a large pumpkin. The rest is history. Audrey stole his heart, and they were married on March 23, 1957 - they were married 68 years, 11 months, and 5 days. Together, they had a daughter and a son who were their entire world.

In high school and college, he participated in ROTC and then went on to serve in the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserve. He retired as a Captain. At OSC, he enjoyed being part of the Pershing Rifles; one reason was stopping at a local brewery on the way back from practice. He was stationed in Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. During his service, his commanding officer, Col. Harrington, became a lifelong friend and mentor.

After the military, his 1st job was in Quality Control at Procter and Gamble. His job involved twice-daily taste tests of Crisco. He did not enjoy that job. From PG, he went on to Jostens where he spent the rest of his career. He began in the Santa Barbara plant and then transferred to the Owatonna plant - and went back and forth again. Being transferred was a part of life at Jostens. Together, Jim and Audrey shared 19 homes.

He focused on manufacturing and operations, but he loved the people-focused atmosphere at Jostens. While there, he completed his Executive Master's degree in Management at the University of Minnesota. He also thoroughly enjoyed the special projects he managed, including Olympic medals, Super Bowl Rings, the Twins' World Series Rings and others. He especially enjoyed showing his grandchildren these medals and rings before they were presented. Once again, Jim made amazing friendships at Jostens, including Skip Mooney, Bill Chalk, Jack Holt, and George Attig. And Jostens brought Jim and Audrey to Owatonna, where they were part of a lively group of friends who enjoyed celebrations and an ad hoc dinner club.

Jim was fortunate to retire at 55 as a Senior Vice President. Then Audrey and Jim built their dream house on the Mississippi in Sartell, Minnesota. In Sartell they were surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They also traveled the world, with Spain, Germany, and New Zealand among their favorites. George and Sherry Attig were beloved travel companions and fishing partners. Jim loved flying into Canada for fishing trips with friends and family. During retirement, he volunteered for the Minnesota Land Trust to help permanently protect Minnesota's fragile shoreline and natural landscape.

Jim is survived by his wife Audrey, children Allison Waggoner (Mark Held) and James Curtis Waggoner Jr. (Mary Jo); grandchildren Melissa Ritter (Chris), Jessica Korynta (Joel), and JC Waggoner (Nikki Theisen); step-grandchildren Nichole Held, Michael Held (Diane); and great-grandchildren Adeline Ritter (Jack Trowbridge), Thea Ritter (Karsten Gjeruldsen), Cosette, Miriam, & Vivienne Ritter, and Nikolai Korynta.

A memorial service will be held at the chapel at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud, MN on Thursday, March 12th at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be at 11:00 am at Atonement. Reception to follow after the service. Memorials preferred to Concordia Language Villages, Attn: Norwegian Scholarship Fund, 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, Minnesota 56562. Jim strongly believed in supporting all forms of education. Truly a life well lived and a legacy to be proud of.