Gerald Edward Waggoner

Of Gerald Edward Waggoner's own birth he stated, "the doctor came on his horse and pulled me out of the deepest snow of the winter". Thus began the life of the son of Harold and Violet Waggoner on December 2, 1932 on his grandparent's 80 acre farm in Iowa.

Gerald loved life and adventure, and had a gifted perspective to see, remember, create and learn from the experiences that generated the best memories, tales, entertainment and yarn spinning from his birth to his death in Pocatello, Idaho on February 15, 2026. His final words were, "I made [them] laugh"!

As a child, Gerald's family ventured to Idaho with the fruit harvests and chose to settle and stay. He loved to share early memories of both Iowa and Idaho such as he and his brother walking to school uphill both ways, or a favorite sport of sharing a set of skis made by their father. With one each, they would barrel down a hill, dragging a foot just in time to miss the barbed wire fence at the bottom. Another time in the winter, they headed out the back door to escape a house fire, and his sister threw her doll out on the snow, only to find it during the melting spring on top of the old wood shed.

He joined the Air Force following his Twin Falls High School graduation, and proudly served as Military Police. He involved himself in the service of various group capacities throughout his life and spent many years as a well-remembered American Red Cross First Aid And CPR instructor. He was employed in Security and Law Enforcement positions including the State of Idaho Port of Entries together with Idaho State Police.

He had both inquisitive and creative sides that encouraged the exploration of activities like drama, painting, rock hounding, photography, and leather work. He started his own photography business and loved taking still photos of hillsides, scenery and flowers, winning many awards for his prized photographs. He enjoyed tooling leather trucker log books, belts, wallets, purses, key rings and miscellaneous items for family and for truck drivers who traveled across Idaho.

He married Verle Ella McBride April 5, 1956, and they had three children. In their motor home, the two traveled through Idaho and many other states, experiencing whatever sites and attractions they held, never tiring of what would lie over the next hill or through the distant field. Going back to his native Iowa was exhilarating, exploring homes, fields and farms, and finding distant family and acquaintances. He brought home tales of the haunted graveyards, and happened to photograph a family one shortly before vandals destroyed it.

Gerald loved everything about Idaho and spent time camping with his family beneath her majestic pines. He attempted to travel any accessible road he could find, practically memorizing the view along the way. He seemed to know more about Idaho than anyone, it's history, sites, roads and trails, and he became a sure fit as an Information Officer at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area near his favorite vacation place, Red Fish Lake Basin.

Gerald loved dressing up as an old west style sheriff at the Fort Hall Replica, where he served for many years hosting tours for visitors. Knowledge of Idaho attracted many to seek his advice where he volunteered at the Pocatello Visitor Information Center near Upper Ross Park.

Gerald enjoyed Christmas and would mark favorite trees in the summers of Moscow. When many were slid off of, or stuck on the winter mountain roads, he would deliberately and slowly drive his family onward and upward to cut the prized Christmas tree for their home. Over the years, he gathered many Christmas villages that could nearly cover his family room, and enjoyed setting them up just a little bit different each time.

After his long life of 93 years, he is survived by his wife, Verle, his three kids, Eddie, Duane and Tami [Mark] Belnap, his 11 grandchildren and many more great grandchildren along with several other family members. He is preceded in death by his family of five, including brother, Harold (Nadine) and sister Jeannine (Gordon) Alderman, two daughters-in-law and an unforgettable number of nieces, nephews and in-laws.

An ice cream Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 2:00 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting wilksfuneralhomes.com.