Our Father Who Art in Heaven...

Dad,
Today is Father's Day. Does anyone have any idea how painful it is to have lost you? But I know my deep, even painful longing to see you is just my true desire to be with our Heavenly Daddy. My true Daddy, who art in Heaven. One day dad, I will be side by side with you worshiping Him. I would like to praise Him with the song "Hosanna" as my first song in Heaven :)
I have trouble expressing myself, which is why I am having trouble putting this blog post together.
But there is one thing I know. You are worshiping the Heavenly Dad today and forevermore! Amen.

Dad,
Do you remember our last conversation?
You told me life would be hard and to always look up when I faced trials and troubles.
You told me to never be ashamed if I had troubles or addictions but to go to God and others for help.
You told me to not worry about things in life and if they work out or not, but to trust God and let him work things out.
You told me "I love you and I took deep delight in being your father."
You told me you were proud of me and all my dreams, loves, and passions to "go for it." You encouraged me.
You told me that this life is way less about me and more about others.
You told me that it was better to give than to receive.
You told me to love my two older brothers and how special they were.
You told me to take care of mom :)


Dad,
Do you remember what you showed me?
You showed me that the Prince of Peace is with us to the very end, on our death beds, taking us by the hand to eternity with Him.
You showed me that with Christ ALL things truly are possible.
You showed me what it means to fulfill the marriage vow "until death do us part."
You showed me what it looks like to mess up, repent and turn to Jesus.
You showed me that we weren't made to live alone, but to be in fellowship and walk with the Holy Spirit.
You showed me that in order to be a good Daddy I must for be a good Christian.
You showed me that God is good and I could indeed trust Him.
You showed me what it looks like to leave a legacy for Christ.

Thank you Dad for making Jesus and the gospel so easy for me to love and trust, and for building a godly legacy. I love you, I miss you, and I will see you again in heaven.

Your youngest son,
Nicholas Kenneth Wagoner

Poem Found in Paul's Safety Deposit Box and Burial Location

First off we would like to thank everyone who has helped us out. We encourage you to check out the last few blog posts to see the journey we have been on. Please continue to pray for Karen, as it is hard to lose someone you have been married to for over 36 years.

Second, the location of where Paul buried is across the street of the Monticello Methodist Church at 23860 W 75th St Shawnee, KS 66227.

Here is a poem we just found that Paul put in the safety deposit box. I do not think he knew how much it would reflect his life.

I may have lived longer
I may have lived longer had I done more to stay alive
Eat my vegetables
Limit my intake of bad stuff
Exercise more regularly
Breathe only clean air
Drink only pure water
Shake hands of only the healthy
Reduce my stress level
Avoid bad neighborhoods at night
Not be a missionary
'but, God has appointed man to die and then the judgement...'
'I don't live to live long but to live forever, so...'
Become a Christian
Tell many about Jesus
Pray for God's direction in life
Serve well
Obey all God has asked in his word
Number the days this short life
Die ready to face judgment.

jerry kizzire

A Son's Thought

I am Nick, the youngest son of Paul and Karen Wagoner. It seemed very appropriate for me to express my thoughts of my dad's funeral on Monday.

I guess I just want to say thank you to everyone who showed, especially the speakers. Mr. Zeplin, J.D. Asbell, Andrew "Uski" Straub, my brothers, and Uncle John. I know if Paul was there to hear everyone speak he would have been so proud and honored. I believe that both the songs played and the speeches given did a remarkable job showing the WHOLE life of Paul Wagoner.

Mr. Zeplin said things that even I didn't know. I had no idea just HOW successful a worker my dad truly was. He showed what "the best of friends" means and really asked the tough question "can you say that you have never been this close to the Lord than ever before?"

J.D. Asbell was a cherished friend of my father's. You told my dad's true love for the Lord, his family and his friends. You showed people just how good God was in my father's life.

Andrew who will always be "Uski" to the Wagoner family. My dad gave Andrew the nickname "Uski" and to this day no one really knows why or where Paul got it. Paul loved everyone who stepped foot in our home. Andrew truly to honor Paul with his words. It is funny how when people honor God, He honors us.

And of course I loved the speeches given by my brothers. Powerful speeches that would put a huge smile on both my earthly father's and Heavenly Father's face.

Uncle John your story of Jesus and what He did on the cross was powerful. You showed what Christ did for my dad and because my dad put His trust in Christ, he can and DID enter the gates of Heaven. Amen. You also showed my dad's love for people. I enjoyed it all.

I know there are perfect wedding, but I never thought there could be a perfect funeral. Now don't get me wrong, losing my father is and will continue to be something hard to face. But the reality is he ran the race set out before Him and is now in eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The goal of my speech at the funeral was to show my dad's life and that he truly did leave a legacy for us all to live. A legacy of a Godly man, worker, husband and father.

Christ was honored by the life of Paul.

Nick

Funeral Information

Paul Donald Wagoner, 59, of Shawnee, KS went to be with the Lord on April 21, 2011 in KC, MO after a short battle with cancer. Paul was born in 1951 in Omaha, NE to Robert and Helen Wagoner. On June 1, 1974 he married Karen Jean Nihsen in Council Bluff, IA and they later had three sons, Ryan, Mark, and Nick.

Paul was a successful wholesale pharmaceutical distribution manager with many distinctions and honors showing his work ethic and superior relationships to the people he worked beside. Paul will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and cherished friend. He touched the hearts of many and was a true blessing to all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Karen Wagoner, sons Ryan and wife Tabitha Wagoner; Mark Wagoner; Nick Wagoner, two grandchildren Abigail and Logan Wagoner all of Shawnee, KS; his father Robert Wagoner of Louisville, NE, brother Wayne and wife Elise of Ralston, NE, sister Mary and husband with husband Ed Icenogle of Denver, CO, mother-in-law Lavon Nihsen of Council Bluffs, IA and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Anna Wagoner and his father-in-law Kenneth Adolf Nihsen.

To celebrate Paul’s life, family and friends will hold a visitation at 10am and a memorial service at 11am on Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Mill Creek Community Church 7825 Gleason Road, Shawnee, KS 66227.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to help offset funeral costs.

Pam Laffler will be coordinating donations of meals/ requested items. Please call her at 913-244-9329

Paul went to be with Jesus

On Thursday April 21, 2011 Paul D. Wagoner passed away and is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He fought the good fight and is now home. He passed away about 5:25 p.m. He died with his family around his bed with his wife holding his hand... the way he would have wanted it.

We truly appreciate ALL the support from everyone during this difficult time.
Funeral information will be posted as soon as possible.

The Wagoner Family

Wise words from Abby

Well as you can imagine the family is tired today. The doctor said it could be anytime now. Paul did wake up a little today and asked me (Mark) in a whispering voice, "wheres mom". Karen came in and was able to comfort him. He knows we are all there for him and praying. We are blessed to have so many people take time out to see him and for those who have made and brought food for us.

Abby asked for Ryan today and Tabitha said daddy was at the doctor with Papa cause remember he is sick. She said "yeah... papa is going to heaven and Jesus is my friend and is gonna take care of him" This is the second time she has said this.

View from the bed

Here is a view from Paul's bed. We have read all of the cards and notes and are thankful. The nurse said, "most don't have that many cards. In fact almost no one does." Even today with all of the pain medication he notice that there was a new card added to the collection.

Thank you!