Raymond Eugene “Shorty” Waggoner, age 82, of Osawatomie, Kansas, died June 5, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family.

Shorty was born September 1, 1927 at Osawatomie, Kansas. He was the son of Andrew Jackson and Elsie Mae (Icenogle) Waggoner. He was the sixth of their ten children. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1945.

He was married to Virginia “Ginger” Frances Barber on April 2, 1949. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of four children.

He served his country with the United States Navy during World War II. He entered the Navy on July 26, 1945 and was honorably discharged July 12, 1946.

Shorty began working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a carman in 1947. He was promoted to brakeman and then conductor before he retired in 1989.

Shorty wasn’t very good at hiding. When he wasn’t working, he was easily found at one of his favorite hangouts, the golf course, the bowling alley, or the pool hall.

He was a member of the Elks Lodge where he served as exalted ruler in 1962, the Osawatomie Golf Association, the United Transportation Union, the American Legion, the Alumni Association of which he was past president, and the VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Bruce who died in 2000, three brothers George, Arthur, and Paul, and two sisters Juanita Wilson and Delores Walton.

He is survived by his wife Ginger of the home; one daughter Brenda Martin and her husband Andy of Paola; two sons Brent Waggoner and his wife Lauree of Osawatomie and Brad Waggoner and his wife Jennifer of Paola; two brothers Lloyd Waggoner and his wife Fern of Dana Point, California and Bob Waggoner and his wife Pat of St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters Maxine Idol and her husband Ken of Carlsbad California and Pauline Sawyer of Topeka; five grandchildren Melissa, Allison, Amy, Zach, and Bryce; 1 great grandchild Emerson; his canine companion, a poodle named Cinnamon; other relatives and friends.

A graveside service was held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Osawatomie Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home. Memorials are to the Sunflower Hospice or the Bruce Waggoner Memorial Scholarship Fund