Services for Raymond John Wagner, Sr., 96, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2022 at Criswell Funeral Home. Reno Dye will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Criswell Funeral Home.
Mr. Wagner passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022 at his home. He was born August 9, 1925 in Delaplain, AR to Benjamin George and Beulah Mitchell Wagner.
Mr. Wagner graduated from Delaplain School System in the Spring of 1943. He joined the US Army in 1944 and went to Basic training at Ft. Chaffee in Camp Robinson, AR where he met, as he put it “the most beautiful woman in the world”, working at the USO. He fell at first sight, Mary Jean Thomason not so much. His stubbornness paid off and they married August 31, 1945. He was posted in Panama to finish WWII. They returned to Arkansas to farm and on April 16, 1950 they had a son Raymond John Wagner, Jr. (Buddy). They later moved to California for a year and then moved in late 1951 to Wichita Falls, TX where son #2, Benjamin Paul Wagner was born on January 12, 1952. In 1953 they moved to Jacksonville, AR where he worked several jobs and then went to work at Arkansas Power & Light CO. where he retired in 1983. On January 29, 1964 Lorrie Elain Wagner was born and on April 7, 1965 Lorne Dewayne Wagner (Booger) was born.
Besides his normal work job, they raised cattle, horses and kids. In 1987 they adopted son #4, Joshua David Wagner. Mr. Wagner loved his church in Fittstown and his family.
He is survived by his four sons, Raymond “Buddy” Wagner and wife Karen, Benny Wagner, Lorne (Booger) Wagner and wife Sandy and Josh Wagner; one daughter, Lorrie Thiel and husband Arthur; grandchildren, Justin Wagner, Krista Wagner, Clinton Thiel, Benny Ray Thiel, Kerbi Wagner Washington, Kevin Kelly, Ashley Lupton and Jake Wagner; several great grandchildren, Trip Washington, Trey Washington, Stran Wagner, Kinsley Ward, Brock Ward, Theodore Thiel and Summer Thiel.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
