Jay Owen Wagner, 77, passed away on September 21, 2023 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born June 10, 1946 in Emporia, Kansas to John O. and Margaret (Sattler) Wagner.
In 1963, the family moved to Lawrence when his mother’s job with Hallmark Cards was relocated. Due to being only one year away from graduating, Jay stayed behind and lived with his grandparents his senior year. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1964. After graduation he joined his family in Lawrence. There he worked for Hallmark Cards and attended KU until he was drafted in to the Army serving one year in Vietnam.
Jay married his wife, Betty Curl on May 28, 1971. His job took them to the Chicago suburb of Wheeling, Illinois, where their first son Christopher was born. After a year, they returned to Lawrence where their sons Erick and Dustin were born. Lawrence became home for the rest of his life.
Jay was employed by E&E Specialties as a building manager until it closed in 2004. He then joined his son Dustin in farming on his wife’s family farm in Jefferson County. With the help of his sons he raised corn, soybeans, and his favorite; cattle. Other than the farm, he enjoyed watching KU sports and the Kansas City Chiefs. One time refusing to go to the hospital because the Chiefs were on TV. He had his priorities!
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Linda Jones and Dale Ann Fabriz, brother Johnny Wagner and brother-in-law Eugene Curl.
He is survived by his wife Betty and sons Chris (Brooke Raasch), Erick and Dustin Wagner of Lawrence, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Mary (Curl) Runyon, Raleigh, North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews, and their children.
No services were requested. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
Donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Jay, a two time cancer survivor, and as a gratitude for the care his great nephew, Tucker Wagner, has received there.
Betty, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you in the days ahead. Jay was a hard worker and effective manager at E and E, He was greatly appreciated . Blessings to you and your family.
We were sorry to hear of Jays passing. We will miss seeing him out on the porch.
We were so sorry to read about Jay’s passing. Prayers to you and your family.
Betty and family so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. Cherish your memories and know that you are in our prayers.
Betty and family: We are so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. Our family is thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Betty, Chris and family,
So sorry to hear about Jay. Please accept my prayers and condolences at this time of need. Cherish his memories, and celebrate his life. Rest In Peace Jay.
Frank Molby and family
Betty and Sons so sorry to here about Jay. My heart goes out to you. You will be on my prayers 🙏 ❤.
I was sorry to hear about Jay. Blessings of peace to you all. I hope that you can find comfort in the memories that you have with him.
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Betty, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. He fought a long hard battle. May he Rest in Peace in a pain free world.
He was a kind man. Our hearts go out to you during this time. We are thinking of you all. Sending love and prayers your way.
I’m so sorry to hear about Jay’s passing. Being a former neighbor for so many years when we lived in town, it was always nice to extend a wave and watch the boys growing up. Positive thoughts going out to all of you.
Betty and family, I was so sorry to see that you have lost Jay. He had fought illness for a long time. Know that many have you in their thoughts and prayers.
Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family. Jay was my manager at E&E and was very well liked.
So sorry for your lost. I worked with Jay for many years. Prayers to the family at this time.