Thomas Clestle Waggoner, 86, of Belton, Texas, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009. Tom was born in Buda, on May 23, 1922, to Thomas Caston Waggoner and Irene Waggoner Sprouse. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Buck Sprouse. His five brothers and three sisters, who preceded him in death, lived with their Dad. Tom attended school through the tenth grade but gained invaluable knowledge and experience from the “school of hard knocks.” As a teenager, he worked for a plant nursery where he grew to love all types and colors of plants and flowers. It was during these teenage years, he married the love of this life, Juanita Blackmore Waggoner on July 11, 1940.

Tom and Juanita loved and raised five children. Their 13 grandchildren hold a very special place in their hearts and they cherish their 26 great-grandchildren. Over the course of their marriage, Tom and Juanita owned two mini-ranches where Tom enjoyed raising cattle, most of whom he knew by name. As an adult, he primarily managed a concrete business where he earned the love and respect of the men in his employ. After he retired approximately 11 years ago, they moved to Belton.

A celebration of life was held Thursday, May 7, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple.