Beloved Angleton Coach and Teacher Dies in Fishing Accident

ANGLETON, TX -- Students and teachers in Angleton ISD are mourning the death of a beloved junior high school coach and teacher after officials found his body floating in Christmas Bay Monday morning.

J.R. Wagner, who was a coach and teacher at Angleton Junior High School, was also an avid fisherman.

On Sunday, Wagner, 30, went out for a late morning solo wade fishing, but he never returned.

Several hours later, his father contacted the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office and reported him missing.

Officials began searching for Wagner as the sun began to set on Sunday, and found his body at about 2 a.m. due to a floating fishing stringer tied to his wading belt.

On Monday, Angleton ISD Superintendent Pat Montgomery sent a letter to Angleton ISD families:

"It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that one of our staff members, J.R. Wagner, died in a drowning accident yesterday."
"J.R. was a Wildcat through and through. He graduated from Angleton High School in 2004 and returned to AISD to teach and coach at Angleton Junior High School, and what his students and colleagues will remember about him is his warm smile and caring heart," Montgomery said in his letter. "We are so sad at the loss of one of our AISD family members. At this time, our concern is helping J.R.’s family and our students and staff deal with the loss of a loved one."
Montgomery said that the district is sensitive to the effects a tragedy like this can have on the greater community, and encouraged parents to notify counselors if they have concerns about the possible effects this tragedy might have on their child.

Funeral services for Wagner are pending.

Image: Shutterstock