Gerald Dale Wagner
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Gerald Dale Wagner went to be with the Lord on May 22nd 2016 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Montana, following a short battle with cancer at the age of 69. Dale was born to Edward and Helen Wagner in Torrington, Wyoming. Eventually, the family moved to Worland in 1956 to farm. Dale met the love of his life Angela Crawford at the University of Wyoming and were married for 46 years. While in college, Dale became interested in flying and obtained his pilot's license and was an active member of the flying club. He also enlisted in the Air National Guard and delivered supplies to Vietnam during the war. Dale served with the Air Force National Guard for six years. The couple eventually moved to Riverton where Dale worked for the University of Wyoming in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation. He worked on researching computerized irrigation for the University. Dale and Angela had two children, Jeremy and Carmen. He then moved his family to Worland to farm. After years of farming, Dale worked for Admiral Beverage for 26 years and retired in 2011. While Dale's kids were growing up, he loved to take the family to Boysen and enjoyed water skiing. Throughout Dale's life, he was always a farmer at heart. He enjoyed spending time in his garden, and watching it grow.
Later in life, Dale had a desire to become a barbeque judge and recently received his Masters with the Kansas City Barbeque Association. He became involved with the Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival, where he was the Event Organizer. The Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ was voted the best organized and run contest for the 2013 and 2015 Rocky Mountain BBQ Cup. Dale also ran for County Commissioner in 2014 and was elected by the county voters. Dale's mission was to serve the people of Washakie County by listening to them and trying to make a difference. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on the consistory.
Dale had 5 beautiful grandchildren that called him "Pappy". He loved to take them fishing and kayaking and was always known for "pulling their legs" and they enjoyed his humor.
Dale's greatest passion was his love in God and his last breath on earth was his first breath in Heaven.
Dale is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ed and Helen Wagner, his brother Edward Wagner Jr and his father-in-law Sidney Crawford.
Dale is survived by his beautiful wife Angela, children Jeremy and Kris Wagner (Gillette, WY), and Carmen and Nate Phillips (Salt Lake City, UT), his grandchildren Parker, Griffin, Lucas Wagner, Adyson, and Audree Phillips. He is survived by his sisters: Joanne (Phil) Reints (Rock Springs, Wy.), Betty (Roger) Wilson (Casper, Wy.), Kathy Wagner (Spokane, Wa.), brother Daniel (Marsha) Wagner (Billings, Mt.), sister-in-law Connie Wagner (Casper, Wy.), mother-in-law Daisy Crawford (Worland), brother and sister-in-law Skip and Linda Crawford (Worland) and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at Zion Lutheran Church Thursday May 26th at 11:00 am. Burial will follow the service at Riverside Memorial Gardens with a light lunch at the Washakie County Fairgrounds. Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church PO Box 376 Worland or Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival at PO Box 203 Worland, Wyoming 82401.
