Tommy Wayne Wagner Sr.

1946 - 2022

MANILA - Tommy Wayne Wagner Sr., 76, of Manila, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Wayne was born in Manila on Feb. 19, 1946, to the late Oscar Bryan "O.B." Wagner and Bertha Griffin Wagner.

He was a member of the Manila First United Methodist Church for many years. Wayne was a 1964 graduate of Manila High School and a graduate of Arkansas State University, the University of Kentucky, and later received his law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Wayne had a dynamic personality and he found joy in solving problems and helping people. During his life, he had several careers. He was a high school science teacher, a high school coach for all sports, a junior college basketball coach, a dental hygienist, a lawyer and a politician.

Wayne truly enjoyed serving the community and putting in the effort to improve and revitalize Manila. He had served 10 years on the Manila School Board, 12 years as an Arkansas state representative, and was currently serving his 12th year as mayor of Manila.

While serving in the legislature he served as chairman of the legislative council and for two terms as speaker pro tem.

While serving as mayor he worked diligently with the city council to accomplish the construction of the Senior Citizen Center, the Duncan Wall Water Park, the Jim Berry maintenance building, the new airport terminal, the avionics hangar, the executive sales hangar, improvements on the city sewer infrastructure, and many other park improvements and city beautification projects. He also belonged to several local civic organizations.

Of all his accomplishments, Wayne was most proud of his family. He relished time with his family and especially enjoyed his grandchildren. He was a wonderful "Pa" to his four grandchildren.

He spent many hours at basketball games, baseball games, tennis matches, dance competitions and other sporting events. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Charolette, in their RV and especially enjoyed the annual fishing trip with his sons.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred Wagner, Ralph Wagner and Dean Wagner, one sister-in-law, Bonnie Wagner, and two brothers-in-law, Jerome Gray and Bud Erney.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Charolette Green Wagner of the home; two sons, Tommy Wagner (Heather) and Wes Wagner (Katy), all of Manila; and four grandchildren, Ty Wagner, Ella Wagner, Scarlett Wagner and Warren Wagner.

Wayne also leaves two brothers, Don E. Wagner (Toshya) of Manila and Jim Wagner (Nancy) of Jonesboro; two sisters, Freda Gray of Salem and Linda Erney of Jonesboro; and a special previous daughter-in-law and mother of Ty, Kesha Costner Smith, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Manila with the Revs. Jerry Pentecost and Jason Sutfin officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Don E. Wagner, Jim Wagner, Steve Shelton, Brent Farmer, Ray Benson, Tommy Towles and Bobby Tucker.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the 75th Arkansas General Assembly, the Manila High School class of 1964, and the council members who served with him.

The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 this evening, July 2, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila.

The family requests any lasting memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church in Manila, P.O. Box 1367, Manila 72442.

Online registry: www.howardfuneralservice.com