Major James Charles Wagner (USAF, Ret.), 75, of Front Royal, VA, passed on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 in Gore, VA.
A funeral service will be held at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church (18 West 6th St., Front Royal, VA 22630) on Saturday, August 5, at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Pastor Neil Davidson. At a future date, a memorial service will also be held in Milwaukee, WI. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date.
Major Wagner was born January 22, 1942 in Somerset, PA, son of the late Parke R. Wagner, Sr. and Essex Botsford Wagner. He received a BS degree from Virginia Tech and an MA degree from Pepperdine University.
James Wagner joined the US Air Force in 1965 and during his 21 year career he was an Instructional Navigator, Instructional Navigator Bombardier, and Instructional Weapons Systems Operator in several aircraft including the B-57, F-111, and a Battle Staff Commander in the EC-130. His tours of duty included assignments in California, New Mexico, Florida, Mississippi, the Philippines, Vietnam, and England retiring from active service in 1986. He has many military decorations including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and Air Medals with sixteen oak leaf clusters. Major Wagner taught Aerospace Science at both Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA and Bradley Tech High School in Milwaukee, WI.
He has been an active Leader with the Boy Scouts of America for the past 68 years on the local, national, and international levels. He has received many awards including the District Award of Merit, Lutheran Lamb Award, the Silver Beaver, Venturing Leadership Award, and the Distinguished Commissioner Award.
He was an active member of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kiwanis Club, VFW, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of World Wars, Am Vets, and National Soccer Coaches Association of America; as well as coaching soccer and football.
Surviving are his wife Sandra Downs Wagner of Front Royal, VA; one son James Charles Wagner, Jr. (Cassandra) of Louisburg, NC; one daughter Shannon Wagner (William Benedict) of Oak Creek, WI; sisters-in-law Diane M. Wagner of Lakeland, FL and Cathleen H. Wagner of McKeesport, PA; and four nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Parke R. Wagner, Jr. and Robert C. Wagner, Sr.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 3 and Friday, August 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home, Inc. (105 West Main Street, Front Royal, VA 22630).
The Pallbearers are Bill Fisher, David Garay, Kyle Hayes, Donte Jones, David Novy, Brad Seehawer, Dane Madsen and Kirk Madsen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the James Wagner Memorial Fund Shenandoah Area Council BSA (107 Youth Development Ct., Winchester, VA 22602; 540-662-2551) or the James Wagner Memorial Fund Three Harbors Council BSA (330 S. 84th St., Milwaukee, WI 53214; 414-774-1776).