Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Obituary - Kenneth Wagoner

Kenneth Wayne Wagoner passed May 4, 2023, surrounded by family. He was 77.    Kenneth was born July 12, 1945 in San Antonio Texas to parents Walter Lee and Gertie May Wagoner. The family moved frequently for Walter’s work, exposing Kenneth to much of Texas and New Mexico before returning to San Antonio to finish high school.

After graduating in 1962, Kenneth attended Arlington University and Uvalde Jr. College in 1963. In 1969, Perry Metheny talked him into joining the San Antonio Fire Department, where he worked for 32 years. During that time he became a paramedic for 12 years. He then went back as an engineer, fighting fires and driving engines. Kenneth was never one to flinch at danger, whether that be rushing to aid the wounded of the 79’ fiesta shooting or putting out a house fire with a garden hose, the only thing handy. Kenneth’s infectious passion for service saved countless lives and touched many more.

He would go on to marry the love of his life Mary Grant Wagoner in 1967, who would be mother to his two sons and his companion for life.  Kenneth was known for his larger-than-life personality and sharp wit. If he knew you, odds are he had a special name for you. He knew few strangers and to be his friend was really more like family. If the Metheny Brothers were singing somewhere you could rest assure he would get up and put on a performance himself. People gravitated to him which was remarkable being he had such a short fuse. He had an uncontrollable need to tell you how he felt. Never violent but out spoken for sure. It was colorful and had a real humorous vibe to it. So much that his closest friends would often purposefully light that fuse. He had more one liners and sayings than any man to date. He was loved by so many it was a standing joke to count how many people he knew in some of the most remote places in the United States. His love of life and people made him a person most sought to find. If you were a friend for a day, it was for life. He was the life of the party and could command a room with his charm and life stories. Although he may have grown out of his fieriness, his sense of humor remained to the end which he wore as an ever-present, slight smile.    He is survived by brother James Wagoner, wife Mary Grant Wagoner, sons Robert Wagoner and Kirk Wagoner and wife Kami, grandchildren Madison Sostorich husband Mitchell, Grant Wagoner, Noah Davila, Griffin Wagoner, and great granddaughter Rowan Sostorich.  He is preceded in death by parents Walter Lee and Gertie May Wagoner, and brother Dick Wagoner.  

Visitation will be at 9AM Thursday Morning May 11, 2023, followed by Memorial Service at 10 AM at First Baptist Church – 308 W Hondo Ave, Devine TX.

The family has requested donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Devine Education Foundation in lieu of flowers.

Obituary by Primrose Funeral Services, Devine, Texas


Saturday, May 6, 2023

R.I.P. Wags

Sadly, yesterday Nanette Chopin Cook shared information with me of the passing of Kenny Wagoner at some time during the past week.  Her husband Clay Cook who is also retired from the San Antonio Fire Department received an email from a colleague there about Kenny's passing.

After much searching, we've currently been unable to locate an obituary which I will post here if one becomes available.

Kenny was affectionately called Wags since junior high back at Terrell Wells.  He grew up in the same southside Bellaire neighborhood with many of the members of Harlandale's Class of 1963 and had attended Terrell Wells Junior High.

The following information regarding Kenny's memorial service has been shared with staff at SAFD.

Kenny Wagoner

SAFD Retired
Memorial Service to be held
Thursday May 11, 2023 10:00 AM
First Baptist Church
3008 Hondo Ave.
Devine Texas
May He Rest in Eternal Peace

Thanks to Nanette & Clay Cook for sharing this sad news and to Mary Wagoner whose Facebook page I raided to find the above great photo of Kenny. 

Please feel free to leave any comments below that you'd like to share about Kenny.

Friday, March 3, 2023

60th Reunion - Yea or Nay

For those of you who have been checking this blog for news of a 60th reunion in 2023, at this point, I know of no plans for another reunion.

I've contacted the ladies who organized the 50th reunion back in 2013 and they have no plans for another but would be glad to share any information they've retained with anyone interested in planning another reunion in 2023.