Howard Edward Wagner

Howard Edward Wagner passed away June 4, 2018, at Samaritan Hospital, surrounded by his caring family. He was a compassionate and loving man, who always put family first and was well loved by his family and friends for 80 years.

Howard was born in La Grande, Ore., to Marion and Ethel Donohue Wagner and is preceded in death by his parents. As a child, Howard worked on the family farm, where the family was well known for raising grass seed. His love of airplanes was evident early in life, as he learned to fly and bought a plane before graduating from high school in 1955. His flying career included sales, flight instruction, charter, firefighting, crop dusting and air ambulance, logging thousands of flight hours.

In 1957, Howard married Darlene Moore and they farmed in Imbler, Ore. Howard began his flying career in Spokane, later moving to Walla Walla, and settling in Moses Lake, where he operated Wagner Aircraft as a full-service flight center.

In 1980, he married Karen Gordon, and he would often say he married Karen so he could have two daughters and another son. Howard loved to vacation and fish in Cabo San Lucas with family and friends.

Always a leader, Howard served on the boards or as president of Moses Lake Lions Club, Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce/Ambassadors, Moses Lake Spring Festival Founding Father, and Sister City. He received numerous awards and honors, including Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

In addition to farming and operating Wagner Aircraft, Howard also worked with Executive Flight Service, Steve Cox Farms, Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers, Michael’s on the Lake, Busby International, and Alsted Real Estate.

He is survived by his wife Karen; brothers Ted (Raylene) and Dale (Melba); sisters Chris Meyers (Dean) and Sharon Harsin; sons Howard Jr. (Cindy), David (Maggie) and Alan (Tracie); stepdaughters Shelley Bond (Mark) and Julie Read (Paul); stepson Jim Gordon and grandchildren Erin, Sydney, Jaymee, Ben, Nathan, Katie, Sam, Nick, Jake and Max. He was fortunate to have most of his family living in Washington state.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Big Bend Community College Foundation (Aviation Scholarship Fund), 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837, in memory of Howard Wagner.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Howard on Saturday, June 16, at 2 p.m. at the Big Bend Community College ATEC building, 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, Wash., with a dessert reception following.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory.