Dr. John F. Wagner

Dr. John Frederick Wagner, age 79, went to rest with our heavenly father on February 3, 2021. John was born October 18, 1941, in Rimersburg, PA. He was a devoted husband, loving father, mentor to many, and friend to anyone that was eager to learn or needed a partner to solve a problem. John was the beloved husband of Dee Wagner who were married for 56 years. John and Dee were longtime residents of Neptune Beach where they chose to raise their family.

Papa Bear, as he was affectionately known, was also survived by his two adult sons, John Jeffery Wagner (and wife Dianne), and Scott Gregory Wagner (and Sandi Medlin). John was preceded by the passing of his mother Faye, father Frederick Wagner, and sister Joyce Goepfert, all of Butler, PA.

John was a widely accomplished academician, starting in a one room schoolhouse, he went on to graduate from California State Teacher’s College, the University of Florida, and the University of North Florida where he earned four Master’s degrees and dual Doctorates in Vocational and Technical Education. John was also very proud of his time serving our country with the Navy where he earned the rank of lieutenant after college.

His career varied widely along with his interest, his career included a professorship in psychology at Middle Tennessee University, Project Director for Duval County Schools, Dean of Business at Florida Junior College (now Florida State College of Jacksonville), deputy director of public safety for the City of Jacksonville, and Project Director in Oakridge, Tennessee as a civilian working for the Department of Energy in nuclear training and education. John’s final career stop was one where he especially enjoyed the people and projects, spending 13 years with LSI in Jacksonville Florida.

Everyone that knew John will be missing his great smile, clean jokes and in-depth discussions on almost any topic you could imagine. In lieu of flowers, John would appreciate donations be made to an organization that was very close to him -- Angelwood (angelwoodjax.org) serving those with intellectual and developmental differences. We will be celebrating the life of Dr. John F. Wagner on Saturday 2.20.21 at 2:00 pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL. All are welcome.