George Thomas Waggoner, also affectionately known as “Daddy Wags,” passed away on June 2, 2024 due to complications from a lung infection following his remission with lung cancer.
George was born on May 8, 1959 to Carl E. and Mabel L. Waggoner from Belle Glade, FL. After the passing of his parents, Theodore P. and Marilyn R. Waggoner of Highland, IL became the guardians of him and his siblings. He graduated from Highland High School (Illinois) in 1977, and went on to play college baseball at Hutchinson Community College. While attending HCC, he met Amy E. Howell and they married on July 25, 1980. They had three children: Carl Rex Waggoner of Hutchinson, KS, Casey Renée Ruzicka (Dave) of Marshfield, MO, and George Calyn Robert Waggoner (Nicole) of Hutchinson, KS. George and Amy also consider Amanda Unruh (Tony) of Kansas as their “other” daughter. Altogether, there are eleven grandchildren: Ashton, Samora, Jacob, Landon, River, Mackenzi, Blaise, Elara, Jordan, Tucker, and Ember.
George believed in the importance of having a great work ethic and highly valued people and customer relationships. His favorite jobs revolved around these ideals. During his life, he enjoyed working as a home siding applicator, a sales and marketing representative for a food brokerage, and co-founding the roofing division of Phoenix Restoration and Roofing (owned by family members, Ryan and Robin Swanson).
George was his grandchildren’s greatest fan in all of their activities and interests! He was always celebrating their achievements and encouraging them. He coached youth basketball and baseball teams, and was also quick to congratulate the successes of any player – anywhere and anytime. He was a member of the Sons of American Legion Post 68 (Hutchinson) and volunteered for over 30 years at the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, serving as the Chairman of the Dressing Room and Equipment Committee. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed sharing his passion for sports with his family. Family get-togethers were HUGE to George, and he loved doing the cooking and trying out new recipes. He also enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, and living in the country.
George T. Waggoner was preceded in death by his parents Carl E. & Mabel L. Waggoner (Belle Glade, FL) and later the successor parents Theodore P. and Marilyn R. Waggoner (Highland, IL), brother Edward F. Waggoner (Troy, IL), and father-in-law Robert M. “Swanee” Swanson (Hutchinson, KS), He is survived by wife, Amy E. Waggoner, his children and grandchildren, mother-in-law Vicky Swanson (Hutchinson, KS); brothers Blake (Shelby) Waggoner (Durham, NC), Lance Waggoner (Mulberry Grove, IL); sisters Karla (Dave) Anderson (Lisle, IL), Karen (Gordon) Priemer (Bath, OH), Wendy Deibert (Highland, IL), Stormi (Mark) Kidd (Highland, IL) – and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by sister-in-law Karla (Tim) Reed (Berryton, KS) and brother-in-law Ryan (Robin) Swanson (Hutchinson, KS).
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Elliott Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2024, with the family present on Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. Friends may also call from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Elliott Mortuary. The funeral service can be viewed online beginning at 9:45 a.m. on the day of the service by going to George’s obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website and clicking on the link located at the end of the obituary.
Click here to view the funeral service.
Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Lysle Post #68 Scholarship Fund, Bethany Church of the Nazarene, or Hutchinson Community College Endowment Assn. to benefit the George T. Waggoner Nursing Scholarship Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.