MHSA was saddened to hear of the loss of Virgil L. Cagle who passed away on August 15. He was born on March 15, 1924 in Carterville, IL, the son of Iva (Shertz) and George Cagle. In 1946, he married Katherine Persinger, known to MHSA members as ‘Gean’, and raised two daughters, Suzanne and Ivy. Virgil owned his own plumbing business, Cagle Plumbing, for over 50 years. Both he and Gean were avid Missouri Tiger fans and were season ticket holders.
MHSA members remember Virgil as an exhibitor of champion ponies, both Shetlands and Hackneys. He was past president of the American Shetland Pony and Hackney Association, and showed two ponies to be named National Horse Show Ponies of the Year. In 2003, Virgil and Gean were awarded the MHSA Jeff Shikles Memorial Distinguished Service Award, an award presented for a lifetime of distinguished service to the Missouri equine community. This is the highest honor MHSA presents, and was well deserved.
Virgil is survived by his wife, both daughters, two grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and one more on the way!
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
