Douglas Wayne Wagster

Douglas Wayne Wagster, beloved Husband, Father, Son and Uncle passed away 8/23/2026. He was born in Jacksonville, TN on 12/26/1936 to Annie Carolyn Bradberry and John R Wagster. An only child, Douglas attended Fraser High School and joined the Air Force in August of 1955. He enjoyed anything sports and played basketball and football in High School and for his Air Force Unit. In 1958, when stationed in Apalachicola, FL, he met the love of his life Joyce Pearl Barfield who was also born on 12/26. They were married December 20,1958 and started their life of 67 years together.

He spent 14 years in the Air Force proudly defending his country, including tours in Vietnam in 1967, as a radar technician. During those years they had 3 daughters; Threasa Ann in Florida, Jacquelyn in Tennessee and Sandra Kay in Nebraska. Last stationed in Nebraska, he ended his career in the Air Force as a Staff Sargent in 1969 when he transferred the family to Olathe, Ks to continue working with radar as an electronic technician for the FAA Center.

In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, gardening, bowling on a weekly Men's League, and taking his boat out to spend a day on the water fishing with Joyce and watching sports on TV. He made a mean bowl of chili, some very tasty baked beans and could dress up grits to make anyone love them. His specialty for his kids though was snow ice cream. He loved teasing his daughters including answering the phone with funny business names when he thought they were getting a call, revving the engine of his suburban decked out with cherry bomb mufflers at red lights to make everyone look at them, and unexpectantly inviting their visiting friends to "pull his finger" which would trigger the release of gas. He loved watching the surprise in his grandchildren's faces the first time he played that trick on them too.

He retired from the FAA after 25 years of service in 1994. In retirement he and Joyce enjoyed traveling to see friends and family, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. They belonged to a square dance club for a few years, and he worked part time at a golf course to enjoy free golf. He liked having the grandchildren over to play Nintendo and was always willing to help if a grandchild needed to be picked up at school. He fiercely loved his family and country.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Carolyn Dabbs, Stepfather, Wink Dabbs and his beloved wife Joyce.

He is survived by his daughters Threasa Lang (Randy) of Gardner, Ks; Jacquelyn Gary (Greg) of Ottawa, KS; and Sandra Rivera (Michael) of Gardner, KS.; 12 grandchildren: Corin Keihn, Dacia Allen, Melody Zarda, Katie Rivera, Jessica Shrum, Tim Lang, Amy Kent, DeeAnn Lang, Kyle Lang, Kelsey Vancamp, David Rivera and Jacqui Mitchell; 24 Great Grandchildren, and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren.

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