Dr. Anthony D. Jagger
Dr. Anthony D. Jagger
Dr. Anthony D. Jagger, known as Tony, passed away the morning of Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. Born in Columbia City on Nov. 3, 1938, to Elmer Lloyd Jagger and Anna Blanche (Farren) Jagger, many of Dr. Jagger’s fondest memories were of his early childhood, growing up with his sisters on the idyllic shores of Shriner Lake in Whitley County, where he swam, boated, delivered the newspaper and forged friendships that would remain more than eight decades later.
Upon graduating from Columbia City High School, where he was near the top of his class, a multi-sport letterman and a friend to all, Dr. Jagger served four years honorably in the United States Air Force, including two stationed in Japan, whose culture he embraced with a robust curiosity that he would carry forward into each chapter of life.
He proceeded to earn a bachelor of science from Indiana University followed by a doctorate from the Illinois School of Podiatry with the class of 1966. While a student, he met Chicago native Ellen Seyferlich (Jagger) on a blind date, and he would marry her in 1965.
Dr. Jagger found it a great honor to care for patients in Warsaw and the outlying community and did so in private practice for decades during which he became known by patients, colleagues and potential podiatry students alike as a trusted, earnest and effective practitioner as well as an approachable mentor, with an altruistic heart and an unmatched gift for interacting with patients.
After many years of practice, Dr. Jagger took on an arduous role involving extensive travel throughout the state, caring for and boldly advocating for patients in skilled-care facilities, many of whom were without family or were otherwise marginalized. Dr. Jagger wholly believed and put into practice the creed that everyone — notwithstanding their socioeconomic status — deserved to be treated with the utmost dignity and to have access to the highest standard of care.
From beginning to end, Dr. Jagger was a hands-on father to his three children: Corrie Jagger and Erika Jagger (Dr. Patrick DeHeer), of Indianapolis, and Andrew (Damia) Jagger, of Fort Wayne. They enjoyed the spoils of a fun-loving, adventuresome and intelligent dad who always made time for them, chauffeured them — along with their friends — thousands of hours to countless activities, taught them to catch (and release) big fish and moreover taught them by example that the subtleties of one’s character are what make the most impact: a firm handshake, eye contact, using someone’s name and placing the importance of being interested over that of being interesting.
Dr. Jagger cherished time spent with, was endlessly proud of and was nearly always amused by his three beloved grandsons, Matthew Jagger, of Winona Lake, Eric Jagger (Dr. Jordan Phelps), of Indianapolis, and Jack Henry (Ronja) Kjøl-O’Brien, of Indianapolis and Norway, respectively.
As the Jagger patriarch, he wholly adored each of his four sisters, Phyllis Burggraff, of San Jose, Calif.; Judith A. (Kerry) Lawson, who preceded him in death in 2012; and Pamela S. (Richard) Cataldo and Becky Farren-Jagger, all of Elkhart. He was a proud uncle, too, and worked hard to follow the lives of a large and accomplished group of nieces and nephews.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tony was an avid fisherman whose love for the great outdoors knew no bounds. Whether casting lines in serene lakes or small ponds, he found solace and joy in the rhythm of the water and the thrill of the catch.
Equally at home on the green fairways, he pursued his love for golf with dedication and enthusiasm, reveling in the challenge and camaraderie of the game, most often alongside his best friend, Mike.
Among Tony’s many trademarks was an inherited, multi-generational allegiance to the New York Yankees, which made him easy to shop for and to pick out in a crowd.
Above all, he will be remembered as a uniquely humble gentleman with an innate grace and an exquisitely understated sense of humor who eschewed pretension and made the world more fun, and he will be sorely missed.
The public is welcome to join the Jagger family for a celebration of life open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19, with a visual memorial and sharing of memories beginning at 1 p.m., at Union 12, located at 7563 Lincoln Way Road, Columbia City, IN 46725.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the “Anthony D. Jagger, DPM 66 & Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM 90 Honorary Endowed Scholarship” would be an enduring tribute to Dr. Jagger’s legacy. You may donate by calling (224) 570-7316.