James Edward VanWagner, 77, passed away on July 26, 2021, surrounded by his wife and three sons at his home in Kansas City, Kansas. James was born on February 28, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to Harris and Mildred VanWagner and was the youngest of 3 children. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1962 and entered the United States Army, graduating from Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served in Germany and Korea as a medic. James married his wife of 52 years, Madeline, on December 14, 1968. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1970 and was a hospital medical technologist for 25 years.
James above all else loved spending time with his family. He was an accomplished artist and loved collecting items from all over the world. Traveling with his wife was a favorite past time, especially to the family cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His hand written drawings on birthday cards and his homemade ice cream were his specialties, loved by his family. James will always be remembered for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor that was always getting others to laugh.
Surviving are his wife Madeline “Madge” (O’Connor) VanWagner , three sons Christopher McClafin VanWagner (Katie), Andrew VanWagner (Oudom Phongsavath), and Michael VanWagner (Amy), and eight grandchildren Annabelle, Harris, Clara, Aramae, Huxley, Arlo, Madelyn, and Jacob. He is also survived by his brothers Harris VanWagner, Jr. (Barbara), George VanWagner (Alma), and Tom James (Jan), along with many nieces and nephews. His final resting place will be at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions are suggested at ALS Association or Paralyzed Veterans of America .
Final Resting Place
Fairview Cemetery
1400 N. Center Ave
Shawnee, OK 74801
James above all else loved spending time with his family. He was an accomplished artist and loved collecting items from all over the world. Traveling with his wife was a favorite past time, especially to the family cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His hand written drawings on birthday cards and his homemade ice cream were his specialties, loved by his family. James will always be remembered for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor that was always getting others to laugh.
Surviving are his wife Madeline “Madge” (O’Connor) VanWagner , three sons Christopher McClafin VanWagner (Katie), Andrew VanWagner (Oudom Phongsavath), and Michael VanWagner (Amy), and eight grandchildren Annabelle, Harris, Clara, Aramae, Huxley, Arlo, Madelyn, and Jacob. He is also survived by his brothers Harris VanWagner, Jr. (Barbara), George VanWagner (Alma), and Tom James (Jan), along with many nieces and nephews. His final resting place will be at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions are suggested at ALS Association or Paralyzed Veterans of America .
Events
Final Resting Place
Fairview Cemetery
1400 N. Center Ave
Shawnee, OK 74801
Guestbook
Visits: 7
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors