Clinton “Clint” Howard Cagle, 72, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Clint was born on February 11, 1954, in Racine, Wisconsin, to Howard Wayne Cagle and Carol Jean (née Meinert) Cagle. Born and raised in Racine, Clint lived a life marked by service, curiosity, craftsmanship, adventure, and an extraordinary variety of interests.

In 1971, Clint began his service in the United States Army. He would ultimately serve his country for approximately 19 years through both active duty and the Army Reserve. His military service remained an important part of who he was throughout his life, and he continued to support and serve fellow veterans through his involvement in numerous veterans’ organizations.

Education and learning were lifelong pursuits for Clint. He attended the Colorado School of Trades in Lakewood, Colorado, where he studied gunsmithing, a skill that became one of his great talents and passions. He also studied at Carthage College and Gateway Technical College, pursuing areas that included Police Science, Public Administration, pilot training, emergency medical training, fire photography, and firefighting. His professional training also included the Police Academy at MATC in Oak Creek, jailer training at Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, Smith & Wesson Armorer’s School, and specialized sniper training through the FBI.

Clint joined the Racine County Sheriff’s Department in 1984 and dedicated more than 12 years to serving his community as a Deputy Sheriff. During his law-enforcement career, he took on a number of specialized responsibilities. He spent time with the Dive Rescue Team, served approximately six and a half years with the SWAT Team, worked special duty on the Snowmobile Patrol, and served for several years as a Jail Supervisor. His dedication to law enforcement and those who served alongside him were recognized in 1993 when he was named Law Enforcement Survivor of the Year.

Clint’s commitment to service did not end when he retired from the Sheriff’s Department. He remained active in law-enforcement, veterans’, fraternal, and community organizations throughout his life. Among his many affiliations, Clint was a Life Member of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 767, the American Motorcyclist Association, the National Rifle Association, and the Gunsmiths Rifle and Pistol Club of Denver.

Most notably, Clint served for many years as Commander of American Legion, Post 310. Each year, he took great pride in coordinating the placement of American flags at Mound Cemetery, personally checking the graves of veterans to ensure that each one was properly recognized and honored. Clint was also served as Grand Commander of the Knights Templar, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Commandery, and Past Master of Union Grove Lodge No. 288.

Perhaps few things captured Clint’s adventurous spirit better than motorcycles. He rode for more than 30 years and had experience with just about every kind of motorcycle he could get his hands on.

Motorcycling, however, was more than recreation for Clint. He became a strong advocate for motorcycle safety and education. He served as a Motorcycle Safety Instructor, was a certified ATV Safety Instructor, became the Wisconsin State Safety Officer for the Blue Knights, and represented the Blue Knights on the Governor’s Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council. Clint also served as President of Wisconsin Chapter XI of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. He was a member of the Harley Owners Group and was proud to be a plank owner of the American Legion Riders.

His love of motorcycles was something Clint was fortunate enough to share with the love of his life, Tina Cagle. Clint and Tina were united in marriage on June 12, 1993. Over the years, motorcycles became part of many of their adventures together. Some of their earliest dates were spent riding two-up, and one of their first vacations together was a cross-country motorcycle trip aboard Clint’s Gold Wing. Tina eventually had a motorcycle of her own, allowing the two of them to continue sharing the open road together.

Travel was another of Clint’s great pleasures. He enjoyed exploring new places and dreamed big when it came to where the road might take him. One of his dream adventures was to ride a BMW motorcycle around the Mediterranean with a handful of friends, stopping along the way to enjoy the vineyards and olive orchards.

Clint was equally comfortable working with his hands. A skilled gunsmith, his knowledge of firearms went far beyond shooting; he possessed the ability, patience, and technical understanding to work on and even build firearms himself. He also enjoyed archery, hunting, and the outdoors and was affiliated with organizations including the North American Hunting Club.

His talents were not limited to mechanics and marksmanship. Clint was a gifted artist, an avid reader, and a serious student of history. He had a particular fascination with genealogy and spent considerable time researching his family history, tracing generations and preserving the stories of those who came before him. Whether studying a historical subject, creating something with his hands, working on a motorcycle, or researching another branch of the family tree, Clint possessed an inquisitive mind and a genuine desire to understand the world around him.

Clint could aptly be described in many ways: husband, father, grandfather, veteran, soldier, deputy, Mason, motorcyclist, outdoorsman, artist, gunsmith, student, and craftsman. Yet no collection of titles could fully describe the man he was. He was someone who believed in learning, service, fellowship, and pursuing the things that interested him wholeheartedly.

Above all, Clint was a devoted family man. Of all the organizations he belonged to, accomplishments he earned, places he traveled, and interests he pursued, his family remained a source of tremendous pride. The life he shared with Tina and his five children, along with the many memories they created together, were among his greatest treasures.

Clint is survived by his loving wife, Tina Cagle; his five children, Howard J. (Kylie) Cagle, Clinton T. (Jess) Cagle, Justin M. (Jena) Cagle, Jami Anderson, and Kenny (Amanda) Anderson; his grandchildren, Bennett, Tate, Emily, Ethan, Lily, Jade, Jacob, Natalia, Jace, and Nolan; his brothers, Cameron G. (Cindy) Cagle and Cahnrad W. (Terry) Cagle; his aunt and family matriarch Carol Wright; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Howard W. Cagle; his mother, Carol Jean (née Meinert) Deitrick; his sister, Colette K. Cagle; and his stepfather, Walter Dietrick.

Clint leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service to his country and community, a lifetime of knowledge and craftsmanship, countless miles traveled on two wheels, and stories that will continue to be shared by all who knew and loved him.

He will be deeply missed, but the many roads he traveled, lives he touched, and memories he created will ensure that his story continues for generations to come.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road Mount Pleasant WI, 53403 on Tuesday, September 8th for a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. At 6:45 p.m. a masonic service will be held until the end of the visitation.

A celebration of Clint’s life will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 9th at 11:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing until the time of the service.

A private entombment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery.