Richard Lamar Bagnal

Spartanburg, SC- Richard Lamar Bagnal, 69, left this Earth on Monday, April 23, 2018 after a struggle with cancer.  He was at his home, surrounded by his family, dog, and Clemson memorabilia.  He leaves behind:  his devoted wife, Joyce Baird Bagnal; his daughter, Maria Bagnal Hastings and her husband, Keith, and their daughters, Genevieve and (soon to arrive) Devereaux Hastings; his sons, James “Jay” Garner Bagnal, II and Beau Hunter Bagnal; his brother, Jim Bagnal and his wife, Dianne; his sisters, Cinda Earle and her husband, Ed, and Margaret Bagnal and her husband, Doug Neill; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Richard was born on November 3rd, 1948, the third of four children, to the late James Garner Bagnal, Jr. and Alice Baker Bagnal in Statesville, NC.  In his youth, he excelled at getting in and out of mischief, as well as many other sports including weight lifting, golf, and basketball.  Originally a walk-on to Clemson’s basketball team, he later transferred and finished his athletic career at Erskine College.  After earning a B.S. at Erskine in Secondary Education and an award for student teaching, Richard taught for two years in Raleigh, NC before returning to Clemson for his graduate studies.  It was then that he met, pursued, and won over “the most beautiful girl” he’d ever seen, his wife of 39 years, Joyce Baird Bagnal. In his adult life, Richard excelled at marriage, fatherhood, teaching science locally at both McCracken and Carver middle schools, coaching youth sports, long talks, and inappropriate humor.  His passion for science and knowledge made him a conversational jack-of-all-trades whose discussions could actually prove that time is relative.  His passion for people, however, was even stronger.  A man who truly never met a stranger, Richard had a welcoming heart and a gift for making others feel included, special, and loved.  He will be remembered by all who knew him as a man of courage, comedy, and kindness. The Bagnal family would like to thank Spartanburg Regional Hospice and The Church of the Advent for the wonderful care given to Richard during his illness.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 28th, 2:00PM at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, officiated by The Reverend J. Edward Morris. The family will receive friends following in the Parish and Community Life Center. Memorials may be made in Richard’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to the Spartanburg Regional Foundation, 101 E. Wood Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.