Traveling Man John Wagers, 1937-2011

John was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on Sept. 14, 1937. He suffered from quick onset stage 4 cancer of his right lung for 508 days. After many rounds of chemotherapy, he could no longer breathe and his heart failed on October 4, 2011. He died in the ambulance coming home from the Coronado Hospital.

In the 1950s John served in the United States Navy as a 2nd class Petty Officer E-5 and was stationed in Hawaii, where he was an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) on WV-2 Super Constellation planes. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association in Imperial Beach. Later, John was a computer scientist, working on the early stages of the ATM systems for Citicorp before taking early retirement. 

Twenty-five years ago John met his wife Gladys at a campground, and together they enjoyed camping, traveling around Europe and the USA in a camper and gathering data for an extensive family tree. 

In his motorhome, named “Rollin-Turtle,” John visited many natural hot springs as well as numerous “coast to coast” camping resorts, in every state and in Canada. Over many years, he also enjoyed visiting the Saline Valley Hot Springs and making wonderful friends there. In addition to his computer, which he named "Lola," John loved gold prospecting in Alaska and playing “3 Card Poker” at our local Indian casinos and “Texas Hold'em Poker” at the Imperial Beach Senior Center   

John also loved opera and went to and supported many theatres, including the Lyric Opera, Old Globe, Diversionary, On Stage and Coronado theatres in San Diego.

John was very proud to be the mascot of the Lunch Bunch for the San Diego Chapter of the American Association of University Women.

In lieu of flowers or cards any donations can be made in his name, JOHN WAGERS to the San Diego AAUW, PO Box 262012, San Diego, CA 92196. 

On Saturday, Oct. 15 at 2 pm, there will be a service and interment at the Holy Cross Mausoleum at 4470 Hilltop Drive, in San Diego.

There will be a celebration of his life at John’s favorite restaurant, VIP, 542 Broadway (between H St and I St) in Chula Vista, where we will have a late lunch immediately following the service.