Larry James Wagoner

Larry Wagoner, formerly of Pickens, South Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 7, 2025, in Horseshoe Bay, TX. He was born on June 10, 1951, in Charleston, West Virginia to Arthur Reed Wagoner and Mary Lee Griffith Wagoner. When Larry was only a year old the family moved from the Appalachian coal fields of West Virginia to Ohio. His childhood was spent in the Ohio countryside. Larry was always eager to work as a young boy for pocket money and had several different jobs growing up. One at age 12, was an 11-mile paper route, seven days a week with 40-50 newspapers delivered on his bicycle. Saturday was collection day, so he did the route twice on those days. He held many other farm type jobs as a teenager from baling hay to working at an egg farm. He also worked at Mohican State Forest during the summer clearing brush. He was recommended, by the high school band director, to play “Taps” at the local veterans’ funerals on his trumpet. After high school graduation, Larry began working at a small factory for $2.50 an hour. A short time later, he went to work at a General Motors factory for $4.00 an hour. Larry continued to work for GM for 30 years, until his early retirement in 1999.

Shortly after Larry’s 18th birthday, there was a draft lottery. Larry’s number was 67, so he went to join the Air National Guard. Out of 300 applicants taking the test, Larry tied for first place. He spent 6 years in the National Guard.

Larry participated in many volunteer organizations, Big Brother Association, Lieutenant with a Volunteer Fire Department. He became an EMT-A, president of the local Rescue Squad and was the local CPR instructor. Later he spent several years working as a volunteer lobbyist, lobbying for fathers’ and grandparents’ rights at the State Capitol in Columbus, Ohio.

After his retirement in 1999, Larry moved to Florida where he lived until 2005 when he and his daughter, Alicia, moved back to Ohio. In 2007, he moved to Pickens, South Carolina. While living in Pickens, Larry spent many days hiking, kayaking, etc. until his health declined. He was a highly active member of two hiking clubs, Tri-City Hiking Club and GNHA, which he considered part of his family. He also was the secretary of the Hagood Mill Foundation Board. He regularly attended a local “black” church, SoapStone Baptist Church. The congregation was established in 1866 (one year after the Civil War). Larry would always joke with Mable Clark (great granddaughter of the church founder) that he was there to “integrate” their church.

Larry was a proud father of his son and daughter. He constantly talked of going to his son, Kevin’s football games and enjoying many outdoor activities together. Larry, as a single dad to his daughter, Alicia, enjoyed coaching her volleyball team and being a very involved father in her activities. He also enjoyed attending his granddaughter's activities, sporting events, grandparent’s day at school. He often took his granddaughters out to eat on “Papa” dates. Larry loved his granddaughters beyond measure and will be greatly missed by all his family.

Due to health concerns, Larry moved to Horseshoe Bay in 2021, to be closer to family.

Larry is survived, by his son, Kevin Wagoner (Tracy) of Portland, OR and daughter, Alicia DeFranco of Horseshoe Bay, TX, his sister, Betty Dahl (Norman) of Perrysville, OH and brother, Russell Wagoner (Cathleen) of Horseshoe Bay, TX. He leaves behind four beautiful granddaughters that he adored, Destiny DeFranco, Wren Wagoner, Delilah Towe, and Dalynn Defranco. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

A memorial hike will take place, on May 11, 2025, at Twin Falls Trail, Sunset, South Carolina. Time to be determined at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the SoapStone Baptist Church, c/o Mable Clarke, 296 Liberia Road, Pickens, SC 29671 or Open Door Recovery, 2705a Commerce St, Marble Falls, TX 78654