Obituary: Richard William Wagaman, Jr.

Richard William Wagaman, Jr., formerly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, passed on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the age of 78 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He was surrounded by loved ones as he succumbed to a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Richard, fondly known as Richie, was born on August 13th, 1947, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to predeceased parents Richard Wagaman, Sr., and Welma Wagaman (Leppo). He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce Wagaman (Day), sons Craig & Bryan Wagaman, and daughter Melissa (Missy) Wagaman-Bast. Grandchildren, Allie, Justin, Abbie, Christian, Oliva, Lexie, and Vinnie. Great-Grandchildren, Owen, Graham, Lucy, and Cooper, Surviving Siblings, Nancy Hill, Susie Baublitz, Lynda Hossler, Holly Biggins and Robin Barton, Deceased Siblings, Barbie Hibner, Gary Hibner, Bo Wagaman, and Peggy Beard. Richard was raised and spent his childhood growing up with the love and guidance of Dorothy Cease, whom he referred to simply as MOM, and whom we knew as “ganny”.

He often reflected upon fond memories of hunting and fishing with his grandfather Rubin and uncle Jack Harmon. Richard graduated from a private high school near Pittsburgh, PA, and spent a lifetime working alongside his father, Richard Sr., in the family-owned business, Wagaman Iron & Metal. Scrap metal, racing, hunting, and fishing were his passions. In the early 1970s, Richard spent time on the dirt tracks winning and taking bragging rights to the Pennsylvania State & Tri-City Kart Championships. An accident cut short his time behind the wheel- but his love for racing only grew. The family scrap business flourished into three generations, with sons Craig and Bryan committed to continuing the Wagaman legacy in the “junk business”, at the racetracks, and in the woods. Unfortunately, the family business took a turn, and Richard found himself living in Memphis, employed in his later years as an independent cross-country truck driver, enjoying traveling to sights unseen. Throughout the years, he loved hunting and fishing with family and friends in Potter County. During race weekends, you would find him rooting for Kyle Larson and tracking the results of the Wagaman’s Dirty #30 Race Team. He will be very much missed by his wife Joyce and his constant Jack Russell companions Jessie & Sammie, as together they enjoyed a routine of watching Gun Smoke and the NFL Kansas City Chiefs. Although he resided in Tennessee, Pennsylvania is his heart & HOME.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM from Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg, PA. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Flowers and stories are welcome. Online obituary and condolences available at monahanfuneralhome.com.