Jerry Wagner, life long Farmington resident, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the LaDow Court in Garfield. He was 87. A graveside service for Jerry will be held Sunday, May 10th, at 2:00 pm in the Mountain View Cemetery at Farmington.

Jerry was born January 23, 1939 in Spokane to Herman and Lydia Rutt Wagner. He was the middle child of three to grow up in Farmington. His father worked for area farmers and was eventually able to purchase a small piece of land himself. Jerry graduated with the last class from Farmington before the merge with Oakesdale in 1957. Shortly after he graduated; Jerry’s dad passed away unexpectedly and he left his brief tenure at college and returned home to take over the farming operation.

Jerry was a self-taught “Jack of all trades” in many, many ways. He could fix anything and almost anywhere as long as he had a truck with a tool box in the back. He maintained all of his own equipment and was very self-reliant. He did share his talent though; with the community; and often. Anytime someone else was in need; Jerry could be counted on to help. He could be found all over the town of Farmington working on plugged sewers, broken water lines, ditch repair, building maintenance; just to name a few. He owned a bulldozer that he lovingly called, “the pig”, and it went with him on projects all over Whitman County and clear up to Farragut State Park. He also helped establish many of the roads and trails in McCroskey State Park.

Throughout his life; Jerry taught his sons the values of work ethics and honesty. Jerry was a hard worker and was invested in his community through his more than 46 years of service to the Farmington Fire Department and had served as its Chief. He was the Town Marshal at one point and had served a stint as Mayor. For many years Jerry was the caretaker of Mountain View Cemetery and was meticulous in helping to ensure records were updated and un-marked graves were not left “un-marked”. He was an extreme firewood gatherer and often sold wood by the truckload. He was a skilled chainsaw operator. Jerry attended the Farmington Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Perhaps one of Jerry’s greatest skills was the art of visiting. He could carry on a conversation with anyone and trips to the buffet in Spokane with his brother often turned into all afternoon affairs as their friends would come and go and the story-telling never stopped.

He will be missed by many in the community and especially by his sons; Lyle Wagner of Farmington and Daren and his wife Heidi in Moscow. Jerry also leaves his grandson Michael (Amanda) Wagner in Moscow; his brother Norman (Cathy) in Spokane and sister, Dolores (George) Robinson in Farmington as well as step-sons Mark Johnson (Craig) of Farmington and Jared Johnson (Fabrice) of Paros, Greece; and a former wife, Marcia Wagner in Oakesdale. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to thank his personal caregiver Annie Brausen as well as Aspen Park, Gritman Medical Center, and Ladow Court for their care.

The family suggests memorial gifts in his memory be made to the Mountain View Cemetery in Farmington.