Jurn Wagner, Sr.

Jurn Wagner, Sr. passed away on September 27, 2024 at the Washakie Medical Center in Worland, Wyoming.

He was born to William and Lillian Wagner in Lovell, Wyoming on November 5, 1945. He was second of three boys born to this family. Jurn received his education in Lovell, graduating from Lovell High School in 1964. He worked at a few different jobs and later in 1966 joined the Wyoming Army National Guard, serving his country 6 years. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1971. Jurn always wanted to be in a business of some kind, moving to Worland Wyoming. He began working for Western Motors, a Pontiac, Buick, and GMC car dealership as the parts manager. He loved the change in the vehicles, seeing the technology moving forward each year, not only in the development of the new vehicles, but changes in the business itself.

A few years later he met a blonde girl that caught his eye, and immediately fell in love with her, Gayle Robertson from Lovell, Wyoming. Gayle and Jurn were married on Feb 20, 1971, in Lovell. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti, Utah Temple. They continued to live in Worland making their home there and raised their family of 4 children.

It was then that Jurn made a change in his profession and began to work for Big Horn Chevrolet. He remained there for the next 33 years of his automobile career. Before his retirement in 2007, Gayle and Jurn purchased Taco Johns in Worland operating it for the next 23 years. He began plans for building a new Taco Johns building in 2005 and finished and opened on June 26, 2006. The day they opened, the customers blocked Pulliam Ave so no vehicles could get through the streets of 10th and 11th. Jurn had said, "the whole Big Horn Basin must be here," as there were so many of his customers there. Then the police came, and he told them that the city approved everything and they would have to just give it a couple of months for it to settle down. Well, a couple of months was not enough. Things escalated into nearly 6 months. Jurn sold TJS in April, 2017.

He loved people no matter who they were, what they looked like or their skin color. He always said we are all God's children. He loved helping those in need, no matter what the need was. Many times, when someone came into his business, he would feed them because they didn't have enough money to pay for a meal. Gayle and Jurn fed the missionaries once a week for the 23 years that they owned Taco Johns. He gave clothes to many, bought groceries, and even took meals or bought a gift card for someone to have a meal. He would quote the Savior when he was teaching his disciples, "I was hungered and ye gave me meat." One of his disciples questioned the Savior and said Master, "When saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?" The Savior replied, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." People would always say to him, you are so good with people, and he would always reply, "Anyone can do this, you just have to follow what our Savior Jesus Christ taught, to Love One Another, and everything will fall into place. President Kimball had a plaque on his desk that simply said "Do It", and now President Nelson tells us to "Hear Him". Jurn always said those two-word messages that came from two great prophets, should be followed.

Jurn belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and held many callings throughout his life, including working as a primary teacher, serving in bishoprics, many stake callings, High Priest Group Leader, High Council, Stake Clerk and many other leadership callings. He loved his Church, and he loved his Father in Heaven and his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his testimony reflected this. If you had the time, Jurn could tell you about all the experiences he had throughout his life and he would never hesitate to bear his testimony, testifying that God the Father lives and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ lives and died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to mankind, that we all may live too. He said, I will take all of these to the eternities. One day he was talking to his sweetheart, Gayle, and said I don't understand why l just jump one hurdle and here comes another to jump. Her reply was, The Lord is molding you into the man and example He wants you to be. You could always hear him say he loved his Father in Heaven and his Savior, Jesus Christ more than his own life, and he looked forward to being able to see them both again. Also his wife, whom he loved and missed so dearly, and his grandson, Chris Christenson. Jurn loved all of his family. As age crept at his doorstep and with all kinds of health issues, it was nearly impossible to do many things, and he said, "I have always went 140 miles an hour, so when I can do it now I will. If my health gets me down because I run too fast, then it was worth it."

Jurn was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lillian Wagner; brothers; maternal parents, Snell and Delsa Robertson; and one grandson Christopher Eric Christenson; wife, Gayle of 52 years, and many uncles and aunts. Survivors include his children, Sheila (Corey) Winters, Jurn Jr. (Amy) Wagner., Robyn (Howard) Wildman, and Christopher (Shilo) Wagner;12 grandchildren and 6 great- grandchildren, and other extended grand and great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Josh Hansen officiating. A public visitation will be held one hour prior. A graveside service with Military honors will be held following the funeral service. Memorial donations may be made to the Worland Senior Center or the Washakie Hospital Foundation. Please send checks to PO Box 524 Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneral

homeonline.com.