Thomas W. Wagner

Thomas W. Wagner, 92, died on July 7, 2013 in Gibsonton, FL.  He was born February 18, 1921 in Mingo Junction, OH to the late Albert and Leona Mae (Buchanan) Wagner.

He married C. Elizabeth Varner December 7, 1945 in Weirton West Virginia and were married for 60 years.  During this time they had three children.  Donna J. (Ron) Noga of Columbus, Ohio; James T. Wagner deceased; Kenneth J. (Holly) Wagner, of Gibsonton, FL; and eight grandchildren.

Mr. Wagner served our country proudly in the US Army, Airborne  Division during WWII.  After serving his country he worked for over 40 years with McGowan Insurance of Steubenville, Ohio and retired as Executive Vice President.  After retirement he moved to Florida in 1988.

STORIES
During his youth he was a life guard, tennis champion and liked to fish.
During his leave while servicing in WWII he returned home and met his future wife, Betty Varner.
After returning to WWII to England and then Europe he found a German parachute made of pure silk.
He mailed a portion of the parachute to Betty Varner to be used as her wedding gown, she was beautiful.  Which the family still has today.
While retired he golfed and fished.  Tom had 2 hole-in-ones.  During one of his fish outings his friend’s boat sank.  It took a while before he and his friend realized they were up a creek without a boat.