RALEIGH — Former N.C. statehouse Rep. Efton Medford Ager died at the age of 91 on May 27 while in the care at the Brookdale Assisted Living in Goldsboro.
Sager represented the 11th District (including part of Wayne County) from 2009 to January 2013. Sager sought reelection in 2012 but lost in the Republican primary that year to Jimmy Dixon, who garnered over 62% of the vote.
Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) noted the passing of his mentor in a post on X.
“I feel grateful to have had Efton Sager as a mentor, but more profoundly, he was my friend. I will treasure his memory here on earth, but I know he is now basking in eternal joy with Mrs. Sager,” wrote Bell. “Heaven has welcomed a truly remarkable soul! Thank you for your selfless service to our country, state and county. Your legacy will live on! Job well done!”
In 2017, Bell presented Sager with the state’s highest honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
His commitment to serving Wayne County and the public was evident in the numerous boards and organizations he participated in, such as previously serving on the Wayne County Board of Elections (1998-2000) and Wayne County Board of Commissioners (2000-08).
Sager was most recently a member of the Southern Wayne Sanitary District Board through 2022 when his term ended. He also served as the chair of the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross and as president of the East Carolina Council of Government.
He was also involved with the American Legion Post 10, Goldsboro Masonic Lodge No. 634, Gideon’s International and Disabled American Veterans groups.
Sager was a faithful member of Brogden Church and had served as chairman of the church’s pastor/parish relations committee.
Sager was born on June 10, 1933, in Galena, Missouri, where he lived for most of his youth. He later graduated in 1950 from Pierce City High School located around 50 miles away from Galena, in Pierce City.
Prior to entering politics, Sager served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-71, achieving the rank of master sergeant. After leaving the military, Sager worked as a salesman until 1977 and earned a business degree from Wayne Community College in 1981.
Sager is survived by his children, David Arthur Sager of Goldsboro and Debra Ann Kornegay of Hillsborough, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held for Sager on June 2 at the Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home in Goldsboro, as well as committal service with full military honors at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, also located in Goldsboro.
Online condolences to the family can be made via the Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory website and his obituary is also on the site.
Memorial contributions can be made in Sager’s honor to Autism Society of North Carolina. Contributions can be addressed to the attention of Donations, 5721 Kingdom Way Suite #100, Raleigh, NC 27607.
