Howard Ernest Wagner, Jr.

Howard E. Wagner Jr. "Sonny", 83, of Cambridge, Maryland passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Sonny was born on December 27th, 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Howard E. Wagner and Pauline (Hopkins) Wagner.

Sonny grew up in Severn, Maryland on the family farm raising tobacco, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Although he loved farming, a chance meeting with a friend changed his life's course. The friend told him that NSA was testing people in the high school cafeteria that day. He took the test and was hired in October 1959 as a GG-03. Sonny spent the next 35 years working for the Department of Defense finishing as a senior technical expert GG-17 before retiring in December 1993. He received many awards including the Civilian Meritorious Service Award. He also earned a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland while working at NSA.

Sonny served 6 years in the Maryland Army National Guard from 1963 to 1969. He was trained as a Combat Engineer, was reassigned to the infantry’s special reserve force (SRF) in the 28th Division and then back again to the 29th Blue and Gray Division attaining the rank of specialist E5.

After his government retirement, he moved to Dorchester County on a small 150 acre farm on the Chicamacomico River where he built a house with the help of friends and family. He spent his retirement years growing vegetables, hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family.

Sonny was preceded in death by his wife Marilynn and daughter Amie.

Sonny is survived by his Daughter Suzanne (Wagner) Arbogast and Husband Rodney Arbogast, Son Clark H. Wagner and wife Susan Mcdonald and Son in Law Michael Yirka. He is also survived by grandchildren Brady Arbogast and wife Amy, Justin Arbogast and wife Garrie, Ryleigh Yirka. He is also survived by his sister Carol (Wagner) Wisman.

Please join us to pay tribute to this remarkable man. The funeral service will be held on June 30th at 1pm at Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home 308 High St in Cambridge, MD 21613. After the funeral service everyone is invited to gather at the American Legion Post 91on 98 Sunburst Highway in Cambridge.