Born in North Bend, Oregon in 1955. Direct Descendant/Great Grandson of Scottsburg, Oregon Pioneer Joseph Cyrus Waggoner and his wife Rosina Slater-Waggoner, as well as Grandson or Finnish Immigrants Vaino Pajari and his wife Fanny Rasmus-Pajari.

Retired Military (USMC Reserve 1975-1980, USN Active Duty 1986-1992, and finally USAF/Air National Guard/Retired Reserve 1992-2015). Veteran of Gulf War, Afghanistan(OEF), and Iraq(OIF) Wars. Peace Corps Volunteer(Sierra Leone and Mali) 1981-1983. Graduate of South Western Oregon Community College/SWOCC (1975) in Coos Bay,Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology/OIT (1979 and 1995) in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Community Collge of the Air Force/CCAF (2002 and 2003). Hobbies include: History, Classic Autos, Antique Guns, Writing, and Model Building.