DAGENHART, Ardis Gerald

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ December 4, 2007 12:00 am Ardis Gerald Dagenhart, 84, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2007, in Valliant, Okla. He was born Dec. 17, 1922, in Broken Bow, Okla., the son of J.W. and Mary McCauley Dagenhart. He was of the Baptist faith. Gerald enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and served two stints, being drafted after his first discharge. He served his country with pride and valor. After leaving the Army, Gerald studied forestry at Eastern Oklahoma State University in Wilburton where he met his future wife. On Jan. 26, 1948, he married Jacinta "Sandy" Cogburn at Mena, Ark. They moved to the White Mountain area in the early 1950s and began their family. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved hunting and fishing as well. After retiring from Apache Railway, Gerald dedicated his time to the VFW. He served as district commander, all-state commander and two terms as post commander. He established Post 9907 in Show Low after his spearheaded efforts in obtaining countless donations, bargaining for property and spending many hours of his time and his family's time. He contributed several historical articles to Beaver's Bend Heritage Museum in Oklahoma creating permanent records as they retraced the historical railroad and the logging heritage of the area. Several pictures of his family are displayed there. Even though he and his family moved back and forth from Arizona to Oklahoma, he never left his Oklahoma roots. He went back often and stayed long. He returned to Oklahoma in 1997, after the passing of his wife. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jacinta "Sandy" Dagenhart; brothers James, Ned, Don, Glen, Robert and D.C. Dagenhart; and his son, Jerry Dagenhart. Gerald is survived by his son, Fred A. Dagenhart of Phoenix; daughters Nancy Gifford of Phoenix, Janie Scott and Mary Jones, both of Valliant, Okla.; sisters Patricia Baggs of Pickens, Okla., Virginia Meeks of Golden, Miss., Helen Bartlett of Claremore, Okla., and Alice Tucker of Odessa, Texas; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives; and a host of friends. A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Conley-White Chapel in Idabel, Okla., with Bro. Steve Buchanan officiating. Inurnment followed in Sobol Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent at www.conley-whitefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the McCurtain County Veteran's Museum in his name. Arrangements were handled by Conley-White Funeral Home in Idabel, Okla.