Jerry Dale Waag
November 4, 1940 ~ January 26, 2023 (age 82) 82 Years Old
Tribute
Jerry Dale Waag, 82, of Madera passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023 with family by his side. Jerry was born in Madera, CA on November 4, 1940 to Ed and Emeline Waag and spent his entire life living in Madera with his wonderful wife, Phyllis and family.
Jerry graduated from high school in 1958 and grew up spending every summer with his parents at Beasore Meadows in Eastern Madera County at the family cabin in the Jones Store campground and later the family cabin in Beasore Meadows subdivision once it was built in 1967. Jerry learned in his early teens to work with horses and mules for packing into the high country from Johnny Jones and while working for Tom and Hilda Jones and later the Curry Company in Yosemite National Park until 1962. His knowledge of the mountains and Madera County was second to none. He loved the Sierras and every summer he was chomping at the bit for the snow to melt so he could breathe the fresh mountain air.
Jerry later worked at Eastside Feedlot in Firebaugh and at the El Peco Ranch in Madera where he was the Stud Manager and cared for many horses, including Decidedly, the 1962 Kentucky Derby winner.
In 1968, Jerry began his career in the fire department working for the California Department of Forestry (now called CalFire). He worked in the units of Tulare, Fresno-Kings (formerly Mid-Valley Fire District) and then Madera-Mariposa-Merced. He retired in 2000 after 32 years of service.
Jerry spent his free time as a volunteer leader for Madera County 4-H and was a founding member of the Friends of The Madera Future Farmers of America (FFA). After retiring from CDF, Jerry spent many years as the Livestock Superintendent at the Madera District Fair as well as working for Producers Livestock Marketing hauling cattle.
Jerry was married to his wife Phyllis for 58 years and in their retirement years, traveled extensively throughout the United States. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Waag in 2019, a daughter Kim Marie Waag in 1978, a brother Joe Waag and sister Irene Bosworth.
Jerry is survived by his children Laurie Fringer and her husband Art, and Craig Waag and his wife Lisa, all of Madera, Terri Waag of Augusta, Michigan, and nephew Gary Waag and his wife Susan of Claremore, Oklahoma. Grandchildren Mikaela Fringer (Jared Lamle), Alexis Fringer, Regan Fringer, Trevor Waag (Krista Maisch), Samantha Herrod (Davin Herrod), Bella Waag and Malia Waag.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA.
A funeral service will be on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Jay Chapel. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
A reception will be held after Graveside Service, at the Home Arts Building, also known as (Womens World), at the Fair Grounds 1850 W. Cleveland Ave Madera, California.
Remembrances may be made to:
Madera County 4-H Council
145 Tozer St.
Madera, CA 93638
Cal Fire Benevolent Fund
https://calfire.foundation/
1731 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95811
Jerry graduated from high school in 1958 and grew up spending every summer with his parents at Beasore Meadows in Eastern Madera County at the family cabin in the Jones Store campground and later the family cabin in Beasore Meadows subdivision once it was built in 1967. Jerry learned in his early teens to work with horses and mules for packing into the high country from Johnny Jones and while working for Tom and Hilda Jones and later the Curry Company in Yosemite National Park until 1962. His knowledge of the mountains and Madera County was second to none. He loved the Sierras and every summer he was chomping at the bit for the snow to melt so he could breathe the fresh mountain air.
Jerry later worked at Eastside Feedlot in Firebaugh and at the El Peco Ranch in Madera where he was the Stud Manager and cared for many horses, including Decidedly, the 1962 Kentucky Derby winner.
In 1968, Jerry began his career in the fire department working for the California Department of Forestry (now called CalFire). He worked in the units of Tulare, Fresno-Kings (formerly Mid-Valley Fire District) and then Madera-Mariposa-Merced. He retired in 2000 after 32 years of service.
Jerry spent his free time as a volunteer leader for Madera County 4-H and was a founding member of the Friends of The Madera Future Farmers of America (FFA). After retiring from CDF, Jerry spent many years as the Livestock Superintendent at the Madera District Fair as well as working for Producers Livestock Marketing hauling cattle.
Jerry was married to his wife Phyllis for 58 years and in their retirement years, traveled extensively throughout the United States. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Waag in 2019, a daughter Kim Marie Waag in 1978, a brother Joe Waag and sister Irene Bosworth.
Jerry is survived by his children Laurie Fringer and her husband Art, and Craig Waag and his wife Lisa, all of Madera, Terri Waag of Augusta, Michigan, and nephew Gary Waag and his wife Susan of Claremore, Oklahoma. Grandchildren Mikaela Fringer (Jared Lamle), Alexis Fringer, Regan Fringer, Trevor Waag (Krista Maisch), Samantha Herrod (Davin Herrod), Bella Waag and Malia Waag.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA.
A funeral service will be on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Jay Chapel. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
A reception will be held after Graveside Service, at the Home Arts Building, also known as (Womens World), at the Fair Grounds 1850 W. Cleveland Ave Madera, California.
Remembrances may be made to:
Madera County 4-H Council
145 Tozer St.
Madera, CA 93638
Cal Fire Benevolent Fund
https://calfire.foundation/
1731 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95811
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