ROBERT HARLON WAGSTAFF

Husband of Bettye Frances Bragg Wagstaff, AAFA #0074

1920 TX – 2008 TX

 

 

Photo from his Find A Grave memorial

 

 

ShelbyCountyToday.com

Center, Shelby Co., TX—26 December 2008

 

            Robert Harlon Wagstaff, 88, of Bronson died December 23, 2008, in Newton, Texas.

He was born October 9, 1920, in Shelby County to Richard and Pearl Permenter Wagstaff, the seventh of nine children. He had been a resident of Sabine County for forty-one years.

            Robert attended various schools in Shelby County and graduated from Tenaha High School in 1939. He immediately enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College. On November 4, 1942, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He trained in Las Vegas at AAF Gunnery School (Spec Sperry Turrets). He was assigned as a tail gunner on a B26 Martin Marauder and flew 56 missions over Europe from bases in England, France and Belgium. He attained the rank of Staff Sgt. and was discharged on July 7, 1945. In the fall of 1945, he returned to Stephen F. Austin and earned his degree.

            He worked 39 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in the public schools of Texas. He was employed by Brazosport ISD in Freeport for 11 years, Lufkin ISD for 10 years and West Sabine ISD for 18 years. During his tenure at Brazosport, he earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Houston. He retired as superintendent at West Sabine ISD in 1985.

            He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bettye Bragg Wagstaff of Bronson, daughter Lou Ann Wagstaff of Whitehouse, a granddaughter Cory and her husband Rob Blackmon, great grandchildren Caylor Brynn Balckmon, Brock Wagstaff Blackmon and Tyler Robert Blackmon all of Brownsboro, TX, a sister Neta Hanna of Jacksonville, brothers-in-law Winfred Wright of Port Neches and Hollis McMullen of Quitman, TX and many nieces and nephews.

            Robert was preceded in death by his son, Jon Robert Wagstaff.

            Visitation will be from 5:00PM until 8:00PM in the Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr St, Hemphill, TX.

            Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, Saturday, December 27, 2008, in the Starr funeral Home chapel with Bro. Gene Samford officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Center, TX.

            Contributions to the Jon Robert Wagstaff Memorial Scholarship Fund, RT 3 Box 3037, Bronson, TX 75930 will be greatly appreciated by the family.

 

Photo from Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center, Shelby Co., TX—www.findagrave.com

Permission granted by the photographer, Judy Murphy

Photo posted December 2013

 

AAFA NOTES: SSDI records confirm the birth and death dates of Robert Harlon Wagstaff (SS# issued in TX), last residence Bronson, Sabine Co., TX.