Donald Allen Bagley, age 83 of Springfield, Missouri, was promoted to Heaven on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. He died peacefully at his home from complications of congestive heart failure.
Don was born on December 21, 1933 in Greene County to Reford Daniel and Mary Helen Bagley. He was the youngest of four children with 3 older sisters; Katherine, Gene, and Wanda. He was married to the love of his life, Margaret Pendergrass on August 25, 1951, when at the age of 17, and she was age 16. They enjoyed 48 beautiful years of marriage before she passed away from a short illness in 1999.
Don graduated from Marshfield High School in 1951 and was employed for his entire career as a heavy equipment operator at Burke Bridge Company of Brookline, Missouri. He was known as one of the premier Crane Operators in the Southwest Missouri area. After retirement, Don worked for several years with his son, Reford, at Bagley Land Surveying. He followed by working the next 16 years with his son-in-law, Steve Ireland, at Five Star Motor Company.
In his retirement years, Don was very involved in ministry with his family. For five years he was involved at Glad Tidings Assembly in the Sonbeams ministry to the mentally challenged. He was also an integral part of the Master’s Commission ministry at Praise Assembly where he traveled with a group of college-aged students ministering across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Don is survived by his daughter, Becky Bagley, daughter, Donetta Ireland and husband Steve, and his son, Reford and daughter-in-law, Cozi. He was blessed with 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Wanda, of Bolivar, Missouri, and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends. For the past 7 years, Don also enjoyed caring for his poodle, Parker, who became his constant companion.
He was lovingly known as “Poppy” not only to his grandchildren, but to all who knew him. Many are mourning the loss of one of God’s finest. Poppy loved hard. He was a wise man who poured his life into his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 19, 2017, 2:00-4:00pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Funeral service will be Monday, February 29, 2017, 1:00pm, also at Greenlawn North. Interment will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery.