Col. Chester Michael Waggoner Sr.

Colonel Chester Mike Waggoner, US Army (Retired) age 72, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016. Born Wednesday, June 28, 1944, he is preceded in death by his parents, Chester Wilton and Margaret Elizabeth O’Connell Waggoner.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dixie Lee Jackson Waggoner; son, Michael (Kari) Waggoner, Jr.; grandson, Thaddaios “Thad” Michael Waggoner; sister, Marjorie Nance; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Col. Waggoner was commissioned upon graduation as a US Army Second Lieutenant through Middle Tennessee State University’s ROTC program in 1967. After completing his initial two year active duty assignment in Europe, he joined the Tennessee Army National Guard and was employed by the Metropolitan Health Department as an Environmentalist. In 1983, he returned to active duty in a military career spanning thirty-two years. He served in numerous assignments. Among them were Logistic Officer in Germany, Engineer Staff Officer at the Pentagon, Training Site Commander and Deputy Chief of Staff for Counterdrug committees and task forces; receiving several awards and commendations including The Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Service Medal. Retiring in 1999 he was employed as a Facility Manager for the State of Tennessee Military Department.

In 2009, he totally retired and devoted himself to “Hobby Farming”, the study of history and his true passion of genealogy. He attended West End United Methodist Church and was a member of Walkers United Methodist Church.

A celebration of life will be conducted 2:00 Wednesday, January 4, 2017 in the chapel of Forest Lawn with Rev. Dr. Michael Williams and Rev. John Feldhacker officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors P O Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675 or Fisher House 111 Rockville Pike Ste. 420 Rockville, MD 20850.

Family and friends will gather to remember Col. Waggoner Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 3:00 until 7:00 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home 1150 South Dickerson Road Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072