Obituary of Ardis Gerald Dagenhart

Ardis Gerald Dagenhart, 84, of Valliant, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at Valliant. He was born December 17, 1922 in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, the son of J.W. and Mary McCauley Dagenhart. He was of the Baptist faith. On January 26, 1948 he married Jacinta “Sandy” Cogburn at Mena, Arkansas. They moved to the White Mountain area in Arizona in the early 1950’s and began their family. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved hunting and fishing as well. Gerald studied Forestry at Eastern Oklahoma State College at Wilburton then moved to Arizona where he enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. He served 2 stints, being drafted after his first discharge. Gerald dedicated his time to the VFW. He served in the VFW as District Commander, Allstate Commander and 2 terms as Post Commander. He established Post 9907 in Show Low, Arizona after his spearheaded efforts to 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 creating permanent records as they retraced the historical railroad. 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 would come back often and stay 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; son, Jerry Dagenhart. Gerald is survived by his son, Fred A. Dagenhart of Phoenix, AZ; daughters, Nancy Gifford of Phoenix, AZ, Janie Scott and Mary Jones both of Valliant; sisters, Patricia Baggs of Pickens, OK, Virginia Meeks of Golden, MO, Helen Bartlett of Claremore, OK, Alice Tucker of Odessa, TX; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and a host of friends.