In Loving Memory of LaVerne ‘Vern’ Wagar: 1936-2023 

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LaVerne “Vern” Eugene Wagar, 86, a proud man of true Norwegian descent, was born in Inkster, in Grand Forks County of North Dakota, on Aug. 31, 1936. The family moved to Hoquiam, Washington when he was 4 years old where his dad, Mel, was the town barber. He attended school there and graduated from Hoquiam High School with honors. He went on to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1960. He loved being a Cougar. Vern had many accomplishments and wore many hats during his life, but none more important than being a father. 

He served in the Reserve National Guard from 1960 to 1966 as a proud American. Vern went on to work for a Vancouver construction company and then joined the City of Seattle as a young civil engineer, working there for seven years. He obtained his professional civil engineers license in the state of Washington before moving on to Lewis County and taking a position with the public works department. There, he became the county engineer and public works director for many years. It is believed he was the longest working county engineer and public works director in Lewis County history to hold both positions, having worked there for 17 years. He left in 1995 to become a deputy director for the Pierce County Public Works Department and then became the executive director for the county road administration board, otherwise known as CRAB, for several more years, before finally hanging it up. Not to sit idly around, he also dabbled in real estate and insurance for a few years in the mid to late 90s. 

Vern was very involved and active in many professional organizations and community service groups and organizations during his time in Lewis and Pierce counties. As a long time, active member of both the Washington Society of Civil Engineers, and the state delegate to the National Association of County Engineers through the 70s and 80s, he was proudly elected by the national association membership in 1989 as the president of the National Association of County Engineers. He went on to be awarded the “Civil Engineer of the Year” award. 

Pierce County passed resolution, No. R89-113, on April 4, 1989, as “Vern Wagar Day” in honor of his service and achievements, an honor few obtain in the profession. He was also a very active member of Toastmasters International, Rotary, and Kiwanis clubs, to mention a few. 

Single with four young kids of his own in the 70s, he married Jane White, the love of his life, on Oct. 27, 1974. Combining his four children — Mike, Mark, Dianna and Scott — with Jane’s four children — Steve, Vickie, Randy and Lana — they became known in Lewis County as “The Wagar Bunch” aka The Brady Bunch. 

In 1986, they moved from Centralia to Lacey for their retirement years. Vern enjoyed his church, yard work, tinkering around the house, golfing, snow skiing, backyard barbecues, going to the beach and having beers with his kids and family. Of late and most importantly, he enjoyed the numerous family gatherings and going to grandchildren’s sporting events. 

Besides supporting and raising eight growing kids through the 70s and 80s, Vern and Jane also built a successful Amway business in their spare time, complete with a dream board on the refrigerator. Together they operated the family business out of their home for many years. Vern had a distinct reputation for drawing circles on his traveling white board, sharing the Amway story with everyone he encountered and Mom for carrying an array of Amway products with her wherever they went. 

Vern was a true professional man. Everyone he encountered in life liked him. If you were lucky enough to be loved by Vern, you knew you were loved. Vern will be reunited with his parents Melvin and Signe Wagar, brothers James Wagar and Robert Wagar, as well as his only sister, JoAnne Shumate, all who have preceded him in death. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 plus years, Jane; his 8 children Mike Wagar, Mark Wagar, Dianna Rae, Scott Wagar (spouse Kameron), Steve Chamberlain, Vickie Hultberg (spouse Jay), Randy Chamberlain and Lana Christenson; plus numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All totaled, he and Jane had 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He is loved and will be missed by many. 

A celebration of life will be held at noon on March 4, 2023, at True Grace Church at 5615 30th Ave. SE in Lacey, Washington. Your prayers and good wishes are all appreciated. At Vern’s request, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warriors online at support. woundedwarriorproject.com