J. D. Sagely Jr.

J.D., age eighty-eight years old, went to be with the Lord on March 11, 2026, having finished his earthly course in faith and hope.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, he lived a life marked by quiet devotion, steady love, and enduring faith.

Born on September 11, 1937, in Fort Smith, Arkansas to J. Delmer and Marion Pittman Sagely, J.D. was raised with a strong sense of duty and integrity that shaped the whole of his life. He graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1955, attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and graduated from Baylor University in 1960. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. Upon graduation, he married Judy Rodgers of Fort Smith who was attending Baylor University School of Dental Hygiene. After three years of living and working in Dallas, J.D. and Judy moved back home to Fort Smith. J.D. worked twenty-eight years for Roche Laboratories and received the President’s Award numerous times and retired as a Senior Sales Representative. In his retirement, J.D. continued to work for another twenty-three years managing family real estate.

J.D. was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, where he served in the choir, as a Sunday School teacher, as a Deacon, and as a member and chair of many committees. J.D. was privileged to participate in six international mission trips and several Home Mission trips. He also served on the Board of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention for eight years, where he served and chaired various committees. Later in life, J.D. came to a deeper understanding of Reformed Theology and was one of the earliest members of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith (PCA), where he faithfully attended until his death. Above all, he loved the Lord Jesus Christ and sought to follow Him humbly and faithfully in every season.

J.D. was devoted to his family, whom he loved with constancy and tenderness. He was a faithful husband to his wife, Judy, with whom he shared 65 1/2 years of marriage marked by mutual affection, perseverance, and Christian faithfulness. Inseparable, J.D. and Judy loved living life together. They enjoyed traveling together, including trips to China, France, England, Scotland, and Israel, which was the highlight of them all. They also enjoyed camping and hiking, including visits to many of the National Parks.

J.D. is survived by his wife, Judy, and his children: Jennifer (Cameron) Clement of Frisco, TX, Mont (Angel) Sagely of Fort Smith, and Sydney (John) of Fort Smith; seven grandchildren: Schuyler (Ryan) Hout, Paige (Juan) Sanchez, John David (Claire) Clayton, Fischer Clement, Megan (Sam) Horn, Grace Anne (David) Lambert, James (Olivia) Clayton; and four great grandchildren: Rosie Lambert, Ellie Clayton, Gene Lambert, and Aggie Clayton. J.D. was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and prayed daily a “hedge of protection” around his family (Job 1:10; Hosea 2:6) and that they would “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33) and be blessed with wisdom and understanding by fearing the Lord and turning away from evil (Job 28:20, 28).

J.D. was preceded in death by his parents, Delmer and Marion Sagely, and his sister, Nancy Edwards and her husband, Lt. Col. Bill Edwards.

A graveside service was held at Forest Park Cemetery on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Missions Ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith, in memory of J.D.’s lifelong love for Christ’s Church and the Great Commission.