Thomas M Waggoner

Funeral Services for Thomas M. Waggoner will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Reverend Nora Mendyk officiating. Interment will be held following the services at 2:00 p.m. in the Alma Cemetery in Alma, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team.

Thomas Merlin Waggoner, 95 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Tom was born May 6, 1922, on the family farm north of Alma in Harlan County, Nebraska, the fifth of six boys born to Bud Oakley and Bertha (Godeken) Waggoner. He was baptized on April 3, 1966, at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, where he remained a faithful member. He received his primary education from District #68 rural school in Harlan County, and then graduated from Huntley High School with the class of 1939. During his high school years, Tom enjoyed participating in basketball, football and baseball. After high school, Tom worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he built dams and planted trees in the Franklin, Nebraska area. He then helped his dad on the family farm until he enlisted into the United States Army on November 13, 1942. Tom served as a Quartermaster Supply Technician in northern France, England and Germany, during WWII, until his honorable discharge on January 2, 1946.

On January 17, 1943, he was united in marriage to Norma Dale Sims at Joplin, Missouri, and to this union two children were born: Jerry and Sherri. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Tom was employed by KK Appliance as a propane delivery man and in 1980, became store manager until his retirement in 1988. After retirement, he continued to work part-time for KK Appliance, which later became Kugler Appliance Company. Tom served the company for over 50 years. On September 21, 1981, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma.

He was a charter member of the Elks Lodge, member of the Eagle's Club, the Holdrege Country Club, and was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years. Tom was an avid golfer, enjoyed playing cards, was a devoted Husker Football fan, and thoroughly enjoyed watching all kinds of sporting events, especially those of his grandchildren.

Besides his parents and wife, Norma, Tom was preceded in death by four brothers: Clayton Waggoner and his wife, Bertha; Roger Waggoner and his wife, Dorothy; Loren "Bo" Waggoner and his wife, Maxine; and Calvin Waggoner and his wife, Irma; and three brothers-in-law: Harold Sims, Donald Sims, and Virgil Sims.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his son, Jerry Waggoner and his wife, Elaine of York, Nebraska; his daughter, Sherri Silver and her husband, Jim of Holdrege; six grandchildren: Kelly Waggoner and his wife, Jennifer of Peculiar, Missouri; Timothy Waggoner and his wife, Amanda of Elkhorn, Nebraska; April Medina and her husband, Brad; Jamie Hazlett and her husband, Donn; Ashley Popple and her husband, Casey all of Holdrege; and Dylan Campbell of Lincoln, Nebraska; one step-granddaughter, Jaimee Silver of Funk, Nebraska; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Waggoner and his wife, Farrell of Alma; sisters-in-law: Edith Ann Sims of Holdrege, and Judy Sims of Alma; brother-in-law, Gary Sims and his wife, Renetta of Kearney, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 2, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Tom's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com .

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.