Chester Allen Wager, Sr.

Breaux Bridge - A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge for Chester Allen Wager, Sr., 93, who passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Lafayette. 

A visitation will take place at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge on Saturday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm. 

Pastor Leo Miller will officiate at the Funeral Service. 

Burial will follow at 12:00 pm on Sunday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Cemetery in Lettsworth, Louisiana.

Chester graduated from Covington High School in 1950 and went on to attend LSU for Vocational Agriculture Education, graduating in 1955. In May 1955, he married the love of his life, Mary Alice, beginning a beautiful 70-year marriage. 

In September 1955, he joined the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant and honorably served his country in Korea. 

A true man of the land, Chester was a dedicated cattleman, farmer, and nurseryman. He resided in Parks, Louisiana, where he and his wife successfully owned and operated a plant nursery for 34 years. Outside of his family, Chester's greatest passion began in 1957 when his father-in-law gifted him with his first Catahoula Cur. This spark grew into a lifelong legacy. The Wager bloodline became a highly respected, world-renowned, and sought-after lineage of working Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs, famous for producing exceptional cow, hog, and endurance tracking dogs. In 1977, Chester helped in the founding of the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas, Inc. (NALC), where he competed and won multiple tri-state championships. With his and other Catahoula breeders' help, the NALC worked with Governor Edwin Edwards to sign the 1979 bill making the Catahoula the official state dog of Louisiana. Today, the impact of his breeding program spans the globe, with Wager Catahoulas found in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.

He is survived by his sons, Chet Wager (Cheryl), Bruce Wager (Esther) and Johnny Wager (Peggy); daughter, Julie Iorio (Angelo); grandchildren, Brandy Wager, Carrie Jones, Beau Wager, Erica Wager, Hayden Wager, Ty Perez, Austin Perez, Daniel Iorio, Eric Iorio and Ross Wager; and 18 great-grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Alice Wager; parents, Henry and Eunice Wager; siblings, Marion McCarroll, Dale Matlock, Cyril Wager and Harold Wager; niece, Beverly Landry; and nephew: Darold Wager. 

Pallbearers will be Chet Wager, Bruce Wager, Johnny Wager, Angelo Iorio, Beau Wager and Ty Perez. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Ross Wager, Hayden Wager and Austin Perez. 

Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.