George Wagner

Dr. G. Max Wagner 90 of Glasgow, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at his home. He was born in Rockwood, Tennessee February 19, 1925, the son of a gospel preacher. He graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1943, and immediately joined the U.S. Navy where he served in the Pacific Fleet during World War II, participating in the Battles of Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa. After the war he attended and graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in 1949. In the fall of that year he opened an optometric office in Glasgow, Kentucky. He continued to practice optometry in Glasgow until he fully retired in 2007. He served as President of the Kentucky Optometric Association and President of the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, and received numerous professional awards including Kentucky Optometrist of the Year and the distinguished Clifford C. Leadingham Award. He was an excellent song leader. He taught singing classes and served as a Deacon at South Green Street Church of Christ for several years. In 1969 he helped establish the Columbia Avenue Church of Christ where he served as an Elder for over 30 years. A life-long Democrat, he was the Barren County Campaign Manager for the gubernatorial election of his high school friend, Gov. Edward T. (Ned) Breathett. He continued to be influential in local Democratic politics for years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. Wagner, Sr. and Sue McAfee Wagner; and his sister Evelyn Wagner Owens. He leaves behind his loving wife of 67 years, Martha L. Wagner; a brother, Thomas J. Wagner, Jr. of Lebanon, TN; a son, Dr. Ronald Wagner (Eva) of Glasgow; a daughter, Karen Wagner Himelrick (James) of Brentwood, TN; 5 grandchildren, Jeff Wagner (Ren