John R. Wagner

Anchorage resident John R. Wagner, 48, died Sept. 14, 2005, at his Anchorage home. A memorial service was in Wasilla at the Silver Fox Inn on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Mr. Wagner was born June 27, 1957, in Valley City, N.D., to Jerry and Marjorie Wagner. In 1999 he moved to Alaska, and lived in Wasilla before moving to Anchorage last September.

His loved ones wrote, "John was proud to be a member of the Local 302 Operators Union. Formerly of Osborne Construction, he most recently worked at a Fairbanks site for Wilder Construction. His companion wrote, 'An artist on the 'dozer, he was proud to have been hired by Jack Nicklaus to shape some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world, working in Paris, Thailand and the

United States. He received special mention in the Thai newspaper for his talents.' John loved classic cars with lots of horsepower, heavy equipment, snowmachines, NASCAR, country music and listening to his companion sing.

"A wonderful, generous man, he took tremendous pride in his work, stopping only when his level of perfection was reached. In the construction community he was well-known and well-liked. He made friends everywhere he worked and played; he loved to shoot pool and hang out with his many friends, laughing and joking, ready to help anyone he could. He stood out in a crowd with his big smile and 'Cat' hat."

Survivors include his daughter, Mishanda D. Wagner; granddaughter, Adison Wojciechowski; mother, Marjorie Wagner; sister, Debra Wagner; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dawn and Doug Rederer, Diane and Mike Rohde, and Sherry and Art Krulitz; many nieces and nephews, and his companion, Darlene Antila.

Mr. Wagner was preceded in death by his father; brother, Mike W. Wagner, and nephew, Matthew W. Wagner.

Condolences may be sent to Darlene Antila, 7505 Boundry #88, Anchorage, AK 99504; a memorial account has been established at Credit Union One in Anchorage, Account No. 454534, to benefit his family.

Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St., Anchorage.