Paul E. Wagner

Paul Wagner passed away Friday, January 20, 2017 at his home at Willamette Lutheran Retirement Center in Keizer, Oregon. He is survived by his son David Wagner; his daughter-in-law Maria Wagner; and their children Anna Wagner and Jacob Wagner; his sister Clara Wiltse; and 14 nieces and nephews. His wife Esther preceded him in death in 2009.

Paul was born July 4, 1912 in a sod house in Wilton, North Dakota. Paul plowed fields with a team of 5 horses, watched the walk on the moon, and experienced the electronic explosion of the 21st century with amazement and trepidation. He lived during the office of 19 presidents, and truly “saw it all”.

He married Esther Kundert on November 17, 1935 and they were happily married 73 years. As a younger person Paul played the trumpet, played baseball, and fought over 150 fights as both an amateur and professional boxer. He served at the Naval Shipyards in Tacoma, WA during WWII as a quartermaster, after which he moved to Salem and began a long career as a salesman; first in local furniture and appliance stores, and later as a manufacturer’s representative for two large major appliance distribution companies. Multiple times he achieved salesman of the year honors. Although his job caused him to move several times, he retired to Salem in 1978 where he and Esther lived out their lives.

Paul (and Esther) were members of the Salem Evangelical Church since its inception. Over the years he served as an usher, treasurer, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and on numerous committees and men’s groups. For many years he served on the advisory board for George Fox College, being its oldest member. He was generous with his time and money and saw his commitment to God as a calling greater than all others.

A graveside service will be held at Belcrest Memorial Park (1295 Browning Ave. S., Salem, OR) at 12:00 PM Saturday January 28, 2017, followed by a Memorial Service at Salem Evangelical Church (455 Locust St. NE, Salem, OR) at 2:00 PM. A reception at the church will follow. Any remembrances can be in the form of a donation to Salem Evangelical Church or the Union Gospel Mission.