It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Iris Stagner, a member of the BikeTexas family. She worked as an administrator in Palo Pinto County and was a mother, wife, BikeTexas board member, friend, state leader in promoting bicycle safety and education, and avid bicycle racer. Iris was killed yesterday while doing what she loved, riding her bicycle. Her death is a terrible loss to Texas and the cycling community. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Butch Stagner, her children and grandchildren, and the rest of her very close family.
According to an early news report from the Star-Telegram, Iris was crossing a bridge on U.S. 180 when a truck struck her from behind. An investigation is ongoing.
The Iris Stagner Memorial Fund at BikeTexas has been established at the request of Iris’s family. All of the proceeds will go to the BikeTexas Share the Road Program for Bicyclist and Motorist Safety Education. Iris devoted a great deal of time and energy to bicycle safety in Palo Pinto County; she pushed to have Share the Road signs installed on local roads and also participated in BikeTexas Cyclists in Suits Lobby Day at the state capitol.
Bernie Scheffler, close friend of Iris and owner of Trinity Bikes in Fort Worth said, “Iris fought for bicycle safety on the roads; it’s tragically ironic that she was killed this way. She was that rare individual who crossed into every niche of bicycling.”
The Board of Directors and staff of BikeTexas will miss Iris immensely and we send our prayers, condolences and love to Butch and her family. BikeTexas encourages photos of Iris Stagner and memories to be posted on the BikeTexas Facebook page.
Iris’s memorial service will be Friday, Sept 21 at 2 PM at Indian Creek Baptist Church in Mineral Wells. Visitation is on Thursday, Sept 20 from 6-8 PM at Baum Carlock Baumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells. Details about a short memorial ride hosted by BikeTexas will be published as soon as they are finalized.
