Joseph "Joe" Marshall Wagers
Joseph Marshall "Joe" Wagers
Funeral services for Douglas resident Joseph Marshall "Joe" Wagers, 64, were conducted July 7, 2003, in McKibben Cafeteria at Wyoming State Fairgrounds by Pastor Tim Ricker of Frontier Baptist Church. Eulogist was A. J. Olsen.
He died July 1, 2003 at his home.
Born Aug. 3, 1938, in Irvine, Ky., he was the son of Joseph Quick and Lucille (Snowden) Wagers; he moved to Tucumcari, N.M., at age 7, where he was raised and educated. He graduated from high school there in 1957. He joined the National Guard while still in high school and served for seven years.
On May 31, 1959, he married Phyllis French in Tucumcari.
He began his law enforcement career in 1960 as a patrolman for the city of Tucumcari. In 1962, he became a member of the New Mexico State Police, serving for 13 years at stations including Tucumcari, Mountainair, Moriarty and Edgewood, N.M. The couple also owned and operated the J Rail Western Wear Store in Tucumcari.
In 1976, they moved to Douglas, where he managed the Sunset 66 service station. They also owned Kentucky Fried Chicken from 1979 to 1990. In 1986, he resumed his law enforcement career by becoming the civil process deputy for the Converse County Sheriff's Office. He retired in December with the rank of Sergeant.
He earned a private pilot's license and enjoyed flying, trail rides in the Big Horn Mountains, trap shooting, a good rodeo, and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the First Christian Church in Tucumcari; Tucumcari and Estancia, N.M. Masonic Lodges; Santa Fe Lodge of Perfection; Tucumcari Elks Lodge; New Mexico State Police Brotherhood Association; Korein Shrine; Douglas Trap Club; Amateur Trapshooting Association; and Wyoming Peace Officers Association.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years; daughter, Letabeth Wagers of Douglas; son Joe Bob Wagers and his wife of Lance Creek; two sisters, Virginia Warmouth of Lexington, Ky., and Karen Longhenry and her husband of Longmont, Colo.; and three grandchildren.