Frederick "Fred" Charles Waggoner

Frederick (Fred) Charles Waggoner, 76, passed into eternal life on August 10, 2024, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Born in Boston, MA, Fred spent his early years in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, and New Jersey. He married Janeth Pola Waggoner in up-state New York in 1969 when both were yet to graduate from college. Pronounced “too young to be married” by his future in-laws, Carlo and Peggy Pola, Fred would be granted the rare privilege of proving them wrong. He and Jan celebrated 55 years of marriage in June of this year. Fred would often explain that he was fortunate to still be married to his “starter wife.”

 Fred and Jan lived in Ithaca, New York until 1970 when Fred graduated from Cornell University with a major in animal science. Following graduation, the couple purchased a farm in Mississippi where Fred raised cattle and grew corn and soybeans. A man of many talents, Fred built their dream home, a beautiful log cabin, from the ground up. People came from miles around to see the oddity of a home in Mississippi built with a basement – a touch of northern lifestyle Fred thoughtfully included in an area prone to tornadoes.

By 1984, the family had grown to include two children, Will and Katherine. Fred traded in the rigor of farm life for a career in IT, and the Waggoners settled in Carrollton, Texas. In 2001, now empty nesters, Fred surprised Jan, announcing that he’d always dreamed of owning a Harley. Together, that dream became their passion. They tallied 130,000 miles over two decades, first with the North Texas Harley Owners Group, then later as full-time RVers, through all of the “lower 48” plus Hawaii, as well several Canadian provinces. During their travels, they found time to relocate to Gulf Shores, AL and, of course, in 35 years, rarely missed a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a place Fred called “a vacation from his vacations.”

When circumstances curtailed their favorite mode of travel, Fred and Jan readjusted and became dedicated cruise enthusiasts. Among many adventures, Fred’s “bucket list” trip was to follow the Voyage of the Vikings, a trip he crossed off his list in the summer of 2022. 

 Fred enjoyed engaging with family and friends over cards, dice and many board games and, as a lifelong learner, improving his mind solving the puzzles in the NY Times. He was also an enthusiastic and talented photographer, serving as the Harley chapter photographer for many years as well as documenting his extensive travels. In addition, Fred thoroughly enjoyed volunteering whenever in Gulf Shores. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents Leland T Waggoner and Florence G Waggoner, his son William C Waggoner, plus many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife Jan Waggoner, his daughter Katherine Stribling, his granddaughter Avery Stribling, his sister Leni Lynch, and more friends than he could count.

 A celebration of life service will be held at 11:30 AM on Monday, August 26 at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Gulf Shores. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Spirit Episcopal Church at PO Box 2346 in Gulf Shores, AL 36547, to the National Prostate Cancer Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.

Jan    214-808-9016    Waggonerjan@gmail.com

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2103 W. 1st STREET

GULF SHORES, AL 36542

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