Joan Louise Waggoner

Joan Louise (Smith) Waggoner, age 78, of Syracuse, Utah, returned peacefully to her Heavenly Father while sleeping on February 14, 2026. She was welcomed into the arms of her beloved Tom, the love of her life. Prior to her passing, her family here on Earth was able to spend time with her as she prepared to cross the veil.

Joan was born February 19, 1947, in Ogden, Utah, to Keith and Elizabeth Smith. She remained close to her parents who, for many years, lived just a street away in Clearfield. Until they passed, Joan was always their greatest advocate and consistently showed them her unfailing Christ-like love.

On January 7, 1966, she married the love of her life, Thomas C. Waggoner, in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tom and Joan grew up just a block away from each other in Clearfield. Tom loved Joan very deeply and was her biggest supporter until his passing in 2022. Joan, in turn, loved Tom with her whole heart and missed him every single day until her passing. During their earthly marriage, they created a home centered on faith, devotion to God, and devotion to each other that remains in place with their children and their families to this day.

Tom and Joan raised their family in Clearfield, Utah. Their children: Shelly (Darrin) Moss, Sheri (Brady) Burton, Casie (Scott) Maughan, and Jared (Jamie) Waggoner all still live in the area where they have worked together to take care of their Mom and Dad just as their Mom and Dad took care of them.

Joan loved her life in Clearfield. She and Tom cultivated many friendships through their service in Clearfield City, church callings, and work at Hill Air Force Base. She was a wonderful cook who always seemed to make great meals from the simplest of foods. Joan also loved to crochet and quilt for her friends and family and took great joy in creating things. It was how she showed love to those she cared about.

In addition to being Mom, Joan dedicated 28 years of service to the United States Government at Hill Air Force Base before retiring in 2006. She often joked about her love/hate relationship with work, but she created many lifelong friendships that she valued very deeply.

Joan and Tom shared a love of travel and adventure. Together, they cruised the world and saw many places and created many memories that she cherished. The experiences they had with their family and friends were a constant source of joy for her.

Another of Joan’s favorite places was something she simply called “fishing.” For decades, Joan and Tom would spend as much time as possible fishing and camping along the Duchesne River. Countless family memories were created when the Waggoner family would gather along the river. To this day, that tradition and that campground remain sacred to the family. To her final days, Joan would talk of her favorite memories of fishing because they were so important to her.

Joan was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served diligently in many callings throughout her life. Her testimony was steady and sincere and something she relied on her entire life. She lived her faith through quiet service, kindness, and unwavering devotion.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas C. Waggoner; her parents, Keith and Elizabeth Smith; and her brother, Robert (Bob) Smith.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses; her siblings Linda (Smith) Jensen, Dale (Tina) Smith, and Gary Smith; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two additional great-grandchildren on the way.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Abbington Senior Living of Layton for the love and care they provided to Joan. We are especially grateful to Eve, Sam, Denise, and Greta for the personal attention and kindness they showed her.

We also extend heartfelt thanks to A Plus Home Health and Hospice for their dedicated support over the past three years. Joan appreciated her Home Health nurse, Hayley; her physical therapist, Tammy, and the many team members working behind the scenes.

Our humble gratitude also goes to Joan’s hospice team: Dr. Holland, Jordan Johnsen, ARNP; Stephanie, CNA; and her hospice nurse, Jadee. Their compassion made Joan’s final days peaceful and comforting, for which the family is deeply grateful.

Finally, special recognition also goes to several family members. First, Scott and Casie Maughan dedicated many, many hours of work, love, and care to ensure that Joan was taken care of in every aspect of her life. Shelly Moss spent years being the medical advocate for both Tom and Joan. Their efforts and love were nothing short of angelic and they are deeply appreciated and loved by the rest of the family.

Joan’s life was defined by quiet strength, enduring faith, and unwavering devotion to family. Together with Tom, she has created a family full of love, faith, and unity that will remain long after her passing.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary. 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse UT. Friends may visit with family on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment will be at the Syracuse City Cemetery.