Thomas Clestle Waggoner

Thomas Clestle Waggoner was born in Buda, Texas, on May 23, 1922, to Thomas Caston Waggoner and Irene Waggoner Sprouse. He was raised by his mother, whom he loved very much, and his stepfather, Buck Sprouse. His five brothers and three sisters, who preceded him in death, lived with their Dad. Tom attended school through the tenth grade but gained invaluable knowledge and experience from the "school of hard knocks". As a teenager, he worked for a plant nursery where he grew to love all types and colors of plants and flowers. It was during these teenage years, he married the love of his life, Juanita Blackmore Waggoner, on July 11, 1940. Tom and Juanita loved and raised the following five children who are listed with their spouses - Tom and Laura Waggoner of Taylor, Jerry Lee and Wanda Waggoner of Rockdale, Joan and Louis Wentrcek of Georgetown, Darlene and Barry Fredrickson of Georgetown and June and Charles Jones of Holland. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law whom he loved as a son, Charles Tillman Houston. Their 13 grandchildren hold a very special place in their hearts - Sonja Waggoner Taylor, Timmy Waggoner, Tommy Waggoner III, Michael Waggoner, Rosalynn Waggoner Monroe, Jerry Waggoner, Jr., Ricky Wentrcek, Kim Wentrcek Thompson, Lucky Lee Fitzgerald, Tracy Fitzgerald Tucker, Rhanda Houston Dunning, Charles Brian Houston and Tiffany Jones Trivette. They cherish their 26 great-grandchildren. Tom and Juanita were happiest living in the country. Over the course of their marriage, they owned two mini-ranches where Tom enjoyed raising cattle, most of whom he knew by name. As an adult, he primarily managed a concrete business where he earned the love and respect of the men in his employ. After he retired approximately 11 years ago, they moved to Belton. Tom had a great sense of humor, an engaging smile and a wonderful laugh. His many infirmities over the past few years never daunted his spirit; they only limited his physical capabilities. We his family have been blessed to know and be loved by him and will miss him beyond words. It is so comforting to know that he has taken his place in Heaven and that we will see him again someday. A celebration of life for our Husband/Dad/PawPaw will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. A poem for Dad "God's Garden": God looked around His garden and He found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest God's garden must be beautiful He always takes the best He knew that you were suffering He knew you were in pain He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw that the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace Be Thine." It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn't go alone For part of us went with you The day God called you home. All our love, your family.