John F.R. Wagner

WAGNER JOHN FRANKLIN RENNIE WAGNER Law Student John Franklin Rennie Wagner, a student at George Washington University Law School, died on October 30, 2008 at his home in Washington, DC. He was 32. Mr. Wagner was born on May 6, 1976, in Lexington, VA and was the son of Josephine “Jody” Rennie Wagner and the late David Franklin Wagner. John graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1994 from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, VA, where he achieved multiple academic awards and was class president. He graduated Cum Laude from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA in 1998, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Elementary Education. Wagner was the heart and soul of a very close knit group of friends and played an integral part in the life of the college where he was an active participant and leader within the faith, music and theater communities. Wagner was a member of the Catholic Student Organization, the a cappella group, Double Take, the national honors music fraternity, Delta Tau Delta Omicron, and the Psi Chi Honor Society. He also sought out opportunities to share and practice his love of music as a member of the William and Mary Choir and Botetourt Chamber Singers. He was elected by his peers to serve as Vice President and then as President of the Choir during his senior year. He traveled with the Choir to Europe and sang before many dignitaries throughout Europe, including Margaret Thatcher. They also sang with the U.S. Marine Corps Band at President Clinton's second Inaugural ceremony in 1997. He was also active in many student theater organizations, including the Covenant Players and Sinfonicron Light Opera Company, where he brought his energy, creativity and love of performing to bear both on and off stage. After graduation, John moved to the Washington, DC area in 1999, pursuing varied careers in helping others, including: math teacher in the Stafford County school system, office manager for RE/MAX Capital Realtors, and executive assistant to the executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research organization and policy institute, before finally deciding on a career in law. He enrolled at the Catholic University‘s Columbus School of Law in 2005 and transferred to The George Washington University Law School where he was a candidate for Juris Doctorate in May 2009. John excelled academically at GW Law all while volunteering his time with GW‘s Lambda Law, the Whitman-Walker Clinic and the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, while still working a full-time job as a legal assistant at The Employment Law Group. He hoped to use his degree to continue helping others, possibly through a career in philanthropy. While in Washington, he continued to share his interest in music and theater, having appeared as Danny in Grease at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre and as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical, with the St. Mark‘s Players; he was also involved with the Oak Grove Players in Verona, Va. John‘s interests were varied - he had a great love and appreciation of music, theater, cooking and travel, having traveled extensively to New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and throughout Europe. He enjoyed renovating his kitchen and working on other remodeling projects to his home in the Capital Hill area of Washington, DC. In addition to his mother, he is survived by three sisters, Alexis R. Wagner, Annie L. Wagner Shaffer and Felicia W. White; one brother, David F. Wagner Jr; brother-in-law, Greg S. Shaffer; four nieces, Rennie and Claire Shaffer, Rachel and Katherine White; numerous cousins and a host of friends. He also leaves his beloved Bichon Frise, Sarah, All of whom will remember his warmth, intelligence and creativity, and are better for having known him. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m.,Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at the Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, located at 281 E. Market St. A second service to be held in Washington, DC, is in the planning stages. Memorial contributions may be made to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, 1407 S St., NW - Washington, DC 20009 or to the Lambda Legal, an amazing organization working for civil rights at 120 Wall Street, Ste. 1500, New York, NY 10005. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.kygers.com www.kygers.com