Daniel (Terry D.) Wagoner dies 'of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations'

U.S. Staff Sgt. Terry Daniel Wagoner of Pelzer was in his second Iraq tour when he was killed on Friday by an IED while on patrol, his father, Scott, said.

Wagoner, 28, had served seven years in the Army, his father said on Saturday.

His dad referred to him as "Daniel," the middle child with a sister on each side.

"All my hopes and dreams I had were in my son," said Wagoner, a minister. " I was looking forward to that."

Wagoner's specialty while attending Woodmont High was running track, his dad said. He ran the 440 and 880 and was ranked statewide.

The Department of Defense has not given the family a full explanation of how he was killed nor when his remains will be returned, the elder Wagoner said.

The younger Wagoner had become a leader in the Army, his dad said. "The main thing about Daniel is that he needed a bit of discipline in his teens," Wagoner said. "He was a follower, and he needed to be a leader."

He said his son follows a tradition of five uncles who also served in the military.

Another relative, Barry Wagoner of North Carolina, also suffered injuries while serving in Iraq, Wagoner said. He said his nephew wasn't severely injured and is recovering. Daniel "called him the other day," Wagoner said. "He said he gave Barry a pep talk."

Wagoner said his son was last home this spring to visit his wife, Kate, and 3-year-old daughter in Fort Hood, Texas.

He is also survived by his mother; two sisters, Angie Epps, and Tiffany Wagoner, his dad said.

He had been due to return stateside in October, but his tour was extended until February, Wagoner said.

"Daniel knew what he was doing," the elder Wagoner said. "He was doing the right thing."

From the Greenville News