Les Stagner's Obituary
Les Stagner was born June 19, 1932 and on Sunday, May 20, 2018, left his family and friends to meet his Savior and Lord face to face. He was a graduate of Van High School and attended Tyler Junior College & Hardin Simmons. On April 18, 1952 he married Ruth Helen Warren and shortly afterwards they moved to Longview, Texas. He was an operator with Texas Eastman for 38 ½ years.
Les’ first love and passion was for his Lord! His priority each day was to help people and for them to know Jesus. He was never ashamed to share the gospel. Many people came to Christ and lives were touched in a positive way because of his commitment to tell others about the hope found in Jesus.
His second love was his family. He was a devoted father to his sons and proud of his daughter in laws. As his family grew, Les gained his new name of “Pop”. Pop spent countless hours at events that his grandchildren participated in. Whether at the ball field or tennis court, he and Ruth followed them to encourage and support their accomplishments. Pop enjoyed many festive family occasions with food, fellowship and a loved a good domino game to follow. Laughter was a constant in the Stagner household with Pop quipping some funny during the conversation or game. Pop was so proud of his grandchildren, as they became adults and married, and the great parents they were for their children.
His third love was baseball. Les was a sports enthusiast, but his favorite was the game of baseball. He spent many of his younger years learning the game from his dad and playing the game with his brothers and men that were older than him in the Van, Edom, and Canton area. He passed his “love of the game” to his sons and grandsons through hours of practice and games. Les always wanted to be a coach, so he began coaching his sons in Little League. He saw potential in every player and coached them to be better. His teams were always well coached and competitive. Even in his last days, he enjoyed watching his Texas Rangers. He saw baseball as a game that could teach a person about life.
Les was a faithful member of New Beginnings Baptist Church since 1984, where he served as a deacon and also in other ministries including FAITH Evangelism, and Kids for Christ. He especially enjoyed 30 years of teaching and mentoring Sunday school classes for young married couples.
Les was reunited in heaven with Ruth, his wife of 63 years, and his oldest son, Dick Stagner. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Julius H and Janette Stagner, two brothers and sister in laws, Julius Mills and Betty Stagner, and Bob and Carolyn Stagner. Survivors include two sons, Kevin Stagner and wife, Kellye, Scott Stagner and wife, Donna, daughter in law, Vickie Stagner, sister in law, Ann Thompson and husband, David, 8 grandchildren, Bryan Stagner (Muffin), Blake Stagner, Josh Stagner (Victoria), Jud Stagner (Merann), Karlee Stagner Small (Ryan), Skylar Stagner (Mellissa), Spenser Stagner, and Trevor Stagner (Allison), and 13 great grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to New Beginnings Baptist Church building program or Highway 80 Rescue Mission.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, May 24, at Rader Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at New Beginnings Baptist Church Friday, May 25, at 10:00 am with Gregg Zackary, Todd Kaunitz, and Conner Bales officiating.
At the end of his life, his desire was to “finish strong”. He has left us a lasting legacy of faith.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
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