Jack VanWagoner died at the age of 91 in Lee's Summit, MO on July 30, 2015, from complications related to pneumonia. He was born on April 16, 1924. Jack was the youngest of three sons of Otto and Olive VanWagoner of Alpena, MI. He grew up on a homestead farm near Curran, MI. He graduated from Fairview High School. Jack's early years centered on farming, studying, fishing, hunting and outdoor life.

He served in WWII in the Battle of the Bulge under Patton. He was a FCO directing 4.2 chemical mortar fire. Jack was awarded the bronze star. He attended school at Greenville University in Illinois where he earned his BA and then attended Greenville Theological Seminar where he earned an MA in theology. Jack was then ordained as a minister in the Free Methodist Church and in the 1950's served as pastor in Corunna and then Flint, MI.

In 1959 Jack became an English teacher at Beecher High School in Flint, MI. He served as a guidance counselor and later director of that department. He earned both an MA and Specialists degree in secondary education and counseling and guidance from Eastern Michigan University. He was instrumental in coordinating the process for Beecher to become North Central accredited on three different occasions. Over the course of his career in education, Jack counseled over 10,000 students.

He served on church, service, and business boards including Spring Arbor University, Inter-City Youth Ministries and many others. Jack always gave generously of his gifts and treasures.

In 1987 he retired from education and became a snowbird between Florida and Clio, MI., with his wife Leah Jane to whom he was married for 63 years. Leah Jane passed away in 1997. He married Gladys Fern Jones in 1998 and then resided in Saginaw, MI. They also spent time near Lakeland, FL.

Jack's talents included teaching and preaching. He was an excellent listener and advisor to young and old and could fix or repair almost anything.

The last three years were spent in senior care in Michigan and then Lee's Summit, MO. He is survived by his wife Fern and two sons. Roger married to Peg, with three children, Meredith, Andrew and Jessica, and three grandchildren, Cason, Christian and Charlie, living in Lee's Summit, MO. And James married to Laura, with two children, Darryl and Christine, and one grandchild, Savannah, living in Weeki Wachee, FL.

Roger was at his side when Jack passed away where he was inviting his dad to meet Leah Jane and Jesus at the "Eastern Gate."

Services

There will be a memorial service at 3:00 pm on August 16, 2015, at the First Free Methodist Church in Saginaw, Michigan. Interment will be in Florida.

Contributions

Contributions may be made to the OJ and LJ VanWagoner Leadership Development Fund of the Free Methodist Church, East Michigan Conference, 2186 West Vienna Rd., P.O. Box 28, Clio, MI. 48420.