David Richard Wagner, of DeWitt, Michigan, passed away Saturday November 5, 2022, at the age of 85. David, son of Walter and Juanita (Behrendt) Wagner, born October 12, 1937, grew up in the Southeast area of Detroit. He graduated from Cass Technical High School, class of 1955. In 1956 David joined the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Back in Detroit, David met his wife of 25 years, Linda Harrison; they married and started their family in Rochester, Michigan, then moved to Long Beach, California briefly, finally raising their 4 children in Lansing, Michigan. They divorced in 1985.
In the late sixties, David attended technical school with General Electric and began his 40 year career working in the field of X-ray engineering. David was a devoted member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. David also loved to fly airplanes, he started flying in December of 1962 at Long Beach, California. In 1965, he joined the Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.) out of Big Beaver Airport in Troy, Michigan, flying a J-4 Cub. David also instructed and mentored many future pilots while flying out of Grand Ledge and Lansing airports. A highlight of his flying career occurred in 1985, when he made a trip to Europe performing First Officer duties in a Citation II. David was a member of the exclusive Quiet Birdmen club which holds current and retired pilots as well as former astronauts in its ranks. David also loved to fly his family to their memorable vacation destinations together including Mackinac Island, Put-in-Bay, Colorado & Florida in his 1960 Piper Comanche PA-24-250 that he owned since the early 1970s.
David is survived by his children Jeffrey Wagner of Naples, FL, Wendy Wagner of Gilbert, AZ, Paul (Erin) Wagner of Charlotte, MI, and Sarah (Matt) Cantu of Rochester Hills, MI. Twelve grandchildren - Amber (Chad) Cates, Eric (Beth) Winkler, Danielle (Jeff) Tencate, Dylan Winkler, Oscar Cantu, Jonah Cantu, Brittany Wagner, Brian Wagner, Israel Wagner, Davan Wagner, Moses Wagner & Elisha Wagner. Six great-grandchildren - Alexa, Olivia, Kane, Leila, Charlie, and Corrina. Siblings Ronald (Holly) Wagner of Clearwater, FL, Ruth Ann Goodger of Fruita, CO, and Walter Wagner Jr. of Sterling Heights, MI. David is predeceased by his parents and brother Edgar Wagner.
A private graveside service was held with his four children at Wacousta Cemetery near his home in DeWitt.
A celebration of life gathering will be hosted at Piazzano's in Lansing on December 10 from 1-5pm. 1825 North Grand River Avenue. Lansing, MI 48906
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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