Donald Keith Wagner

Donald Keith Wagner, 85, of Arlington, Texas passed away July 4, 2018 in Dennison, Texas. Donald was born May 29, 1933 in Vesta, Nebraska to sharecropper parents, Albert Emil and Ardis Sisco Wagner. He was the second of ten children and the oldest of five brothers. He was baptized June 18, 1933 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church of Tecumseh, NE (Maple Grove) and confirmed March 25, 1945 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church (Maple Grove).

As a teenager, Donald learned to be a mechanic at “Dutch” Albert’s Garage, a Gas Station and Repair Garage in Filley, NE. He also delivered groceries to neighboring towns working at Stevens Grocery in Beatrice, NE where he met his future bride. Don graduated from Filley High School in 1951.

Don married Virginia Mae Skidmore on October 29, 1955 in Mountain Home, Idaho. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and entered service on May 16, 1956 and was stationed in Ft. Riley, Kansas during the Korean conflict; trained as a Recon Helicopter and Aircraft Repair Mechanic at Ft. Eustis, VA; and was a member of the first U.S. Army Helicopter Mechanics unit. When he was discharged from active duty, Don moved his family to Grand Prairie, Texas where he served his inactive duty with the National Guard at Hensley Field. On memorial weekend of 1960, Don moved his wife’s family to Grand Prairie, TX and a month later moved his mother and his siblings still living at home, to Grand Prairie. Don and Virginia were always there to take care of their mothers and siblings. He helped a friend, David Vickers, attend and graduate from Seminary in Fort Worth.
Don & Virginia loved to travel with their 5th wheel and were a member of the Good Sam Camping Club; were members of the Southwest Bluegrass Club where he served a term as President; His main occupation before retiring in 2003 was as a forklift mechanic. He taught many people how to work on forklifts and industrial equipment. He became recognized by many businesses in the field as one of the best mechanics around. While working at AMC warehouse, Don met his friend, Lee Cassam, with whom he travelled and assisted in purchasing and reselling equipment. Lee and his family along with Bobby Shah and his family became a part of Don’s extended family. After retirement and death of his wife in 1995, Don introduced RV camping to his sister, Peggy, and brother, Max by taking them travelling to the East Coast, West Coast, and everywhere in between.

Don is survived by: daughters, Donita Kay Spawr (husband John), and Karla Ann Wright, Arlington, TX; Son-in-law, Robert “Andy” Weatherby, Ivanhoe, TX. Grandchildren: Jason James Wright (wife Casandra) Spring, TX; Jeremy David Wright, Arlington, TX; Ashley Weatherby Morton, Ivanhoe, TX; and David Wayne Weatherby Arlington, TX. Two great grandsons: Ethan Cole and Aaron Keith Bassett, Ivanhoe, TX. Siblings: Betty Olson, Grand Prairie, TX; Larry Wagner (wife Joyce), Greenwood, NE; Peggy Mosher, Arlington, TX; Shelby Jost, Dallas, TX; Joyce Ferguson (husband Fred), Arlington, TX; Jinger Neville (husband Larry) Arlington, TX; and Jimmy Ray Wagner (wife Linda) Denton, TX. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephew, and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia of almost 40 years; daughter Vicki Weatherby; brothers Max and Tommy Wagner; nephew Terry Wagner; brother in laws A.M. Mosher, Jerry Jost, and C.J. Olson.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Military BibleStick project. Donations can be sent to Grace Lutheran Church c/o BibleSticks fund at 210 W. Park Row Dr. Arlington, TX 76010 or can be made at https://militarybiblestick.com/donate/ . The Military BibleStick is a small digital player, specifically designed for military use and is loaded with the New Testament and selected Psalms.