David Edward WAGNER

1941 - 2018

WAGNER, David Edward Mrs Jeanne Wagner, and children Terri, David, Jeff, and Stephen celebrate the life of their husband and father, David Edward Wagner, who lost his long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on January 10, 2018. A remembrance of his life will be held Friday, January 19, at Lakeside Pizza and Grill in Steiner Ranch, 3pm-6pm. Friends and relatives, come share your stories and memories of Dave. Dave was born July 15, 1941, in Cushing, Oklahoma, to Rosalie and Kenneth Wagner. He moved to Vinita, Oklahoma as a child, and lived there until his acceptance to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. After obtaining his degree in Industrial Engineering in 1963, he moved to Rochester, New York to begin his career at Kodak. He continued on his course at Johnson & Johnson in Sherman, Texas beginning in 1966, and then moved on to Spartan Healthcare in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972. He eventually moved to El Paso, Texas in 1979 to work at Convertors, where he later became director of Technical Services. During his tenure at Convertors, which manufactured and sterilized disposable medical supplies for hospitals and specific surgeons such as Dr. DeBakey, the management team received the Industry Week 1998 Best Plants Award. In 2001, Dave was awarded the Karl D. Bays Accomplishment Award for Value Improvement of a Product Line Transfer. At his retirement in 2005, Dave received an award recognizing his lifetime achievements with the company: "Your Legacy: A Global Business, Improving Lives Around the World. Thank You, Cardinal Health." His greatest talent at Convertors was providing uncommon leadership in motivating his staff and others to do their best, finding cost savings, and providing innovating ideas to solve problems in the operating room. He was known for his honesty and integrity. Along the way, Dave met and married the love of his life, Alice Jeanne Adkins. In 2011, Dave and Jeanne made their final move to Austin, Texas to be closer to family. Dave lived a rich and full life, surrounded by family and friends. He was widely loved for his incredible intellect, sense of humor, and kind-hearted nature. He never met a stranger, and his friends, children, and grandchildren all remember him best for his fun-loving outlook. Even toward the end of his illness, he always remained optimistic that tomorrow would be a better day. He had many interests, including bowling, playing bridge and poker, and Broadway musicals. He loved to travel to Las Vegas, both for the shows and the gambling. An avid collector, Dave had an extensive stamp collection and also a formidable comic book collection. However, his special joy was in having his children and grandchildren around him, and he was their greatest cheerleader and supporter. Until his COPD overwhelmed him, he could always be counted on to be present at his grandkids' theatre productions, choir recitals, soccer games, dirt biking contests, and cheer competitions. Most of his children lived nearby and were able to visit frequently. He often stated that his greatest accomplishment in life was in raising a family in which everyone loved and respected one another, and his greatest regret was not being able to watch all of his grandchildren grow up. His loss is devastating to our family. Dave is survived by a large and loving family, including his wife Jeanne, his 4 children and their spouses, his 9 grandchildren, and his sister Judy and brother-in-law Jack, along with his two nieces. We would especially like to thank Dave and Jeanne's neighbors, who acted as an extended family during his illness. Memorial donations may be made in Dave's name to the COPD Foundation, copdfoundation.org. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home (512) 263-1511. For those desiring, you may also access the online guest registry and obituary at www.wcfish.com.