James Wagoner

James Wagoner

James Elmer "Jim" Wagoner of Mount Airy, NC, passed away the evening of December 25th, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born in in Surry County in May 1938 to Elmer and Ruth Wagoner, who both preceded him in death. Jim is survived by his wife of 33 years, Peggy, his daughters Kara Lewis and her husband Gene (Columbia, SC), Kelli Lujan and her husband Alex (Hope Mills, NC), his son Kent and his wife Melessa (Denver, CO), his grandson Sam Lewis and Jim's first wife, Andrea Parkerson. Jim was a devoted father, spending countless Fridays and weekends supporting his children in their marching band activities and attending football games with them at Appalachian State University. Education, and the bonds formed by that, were important to Jim. He was a 1956 graduate of Mount Airy High School and loved his classmates, meeting with them for "Chum Days" every Tuesday at Hardees until his health prevented him from attending. Even then, he regularly kept in touch with his classmates and their families. Jim also graduated from Georgia Tech University – the first in his family to earn a college degree -- with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. He was a devoted Yellow Jacket his entire life, much to the amusement of his friends and family, especially his children. Religion played a strong part in his life. Jim was a member of Haymore Memorial Baptist Church in Mount Airy for many years, serving as a deacon. This church and its members held a special place in his heart, and he attended regularly until his health would no longer let him. Along with religion and the Yellow Jackets, Jim was a dedicated Freemason for over 60 years, 32° of the Scottish Rite, OSAI Shriner, and Mount Airy Chapter #18 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a Master Mason at Creasy Procter Lodge #679 in Fayetteville, NC, and at Renfro Lodge #691 in Mount Airy. He served as the Worshipful Master Mason for Renfro Lodge in 2007. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31st at 2:00 PM at Haymore Memorial Baptist Church. Visitation was Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Moody's Funeral Home. Rev. Kevin Minix and Rev. Robert McCrary will officiate the services. Masonic rites will be conducted at the gravesite at Oakdale Cemetery by Renfro Lodge. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank his great caregiver, Melissa Pasada of Home Instead, as well as the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home and the excellent nurses Cindy Beaverly, Donna Keck, and Beth Freeman, as well as all other nurses, CNAs, and other wonderful supporting staff. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haymore Memorial Baptist Church Maintenance Fund or Youth Group 319 Rockford St., Mount Airy, NC 27030, or the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice House 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017. Moody Funeral Service of Mount Airy is serving the Wagoner family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.