Gary Wagner

1938 - 2015

Gary Robert Wagner

April 4, 1938 - December 24, 2015

Gary Robert Wagner died at home on December 24, 2015. A third generation San Franciscan, Gary was born to Rena and Rudolph Wagner April 4, 1938. He graduated George Washington High School and attended San Francisco State College, where he majored in Radio and Television.

Gary became Floor Director at KGO-TV/ABC for John Daly and also worked for the Jack LaLanne program, among others. He became a Merchant Marine, and spent time aboard the Japan Bear, plying the waters between San Francisco, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

Then, fascinated by interior design, Gary joined the fabric house F. Schumacher where he spent ten years working in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and Seattle. Dorothy and Harry Lawenda, principals at Kneedler Fauchere, asked him to open a showroom in Seattle. The Lawendas became Gary's great life mentors, sharpening his interest in the world, travel, design, food and wine. Later, Gary worked with Harry Lawenda to build a new San Francisco Kneedler Fauchere showroom.

It was in the Kneedler Fauchere's Los Angeles showroom that Gary met Julie Anne Drogin. It was love at first sight. The couple relocated to Indiana where he became VP of Sales and Marketing at Dunbar Furniture.

Gary was diagnosed with cancer, prompting his early retirement. When Julie's mother, Dr. Virginia Livingston, a pioneer in cancer research and treatment, also responsible for Gary's remission, died, she left Gary and Julie at the helm of the Livingston Medical Center. Later, the Virginia Livingston Foundation became a benefactor of many causes, including St. Helena Hospital.

Moving to the Napa Valley in 1980, Julie and Gary worked to develop their home and gardens on Alexander Court and filled it with people they loved. They hosted countless parties, holidays and events.

Gary and Julie traveled extensively in Europe, where their family and friends often joined them for great adventures. They also spent each October on Orcas Island where they enjoyed each other, their Cocker Spaniels and many beautiful sunsets--- cherished times in a life well spent.

Gary Robert Wagner leaves his children; Betsy (Daniel), Craig (Tish), stepchildren; Michael (Karen) and Laura (Bruce), Grandchildren; Michael, Sarah, James, Jillian, Elizabeth, Julianna, Genevieve, Madeline, Christopher, Emilia, and Carolyn, as well as best friends, Helen Jean Bowie, Ana Canales and his beloved puppy, Kayo. Gary was famous for asking at family gatherings: "Who Has More Fun Than We Do?"