Thomas Dehon Wagner

Thomas Dehon Wagner (known as “Doc” to his five grandkids) passed peacefully to Heaven on December 11, 2020 in Charlotte, NC with his beloved family by his side. He was a committed Christian and has been reunited with his Lord and Savior, whom he loved.

Tommy was born in Amarillo, TX on April 19,1950. After briefly attending NYU and graduating from Tulane University, Tommy married his wife Betty Johnson of Amarillo, TX in 1975. At age 37, Tommy moved his family to Nashville, TN to pursue his lifelong passion for computer science and teaching. He earned his PhD at Vanderbilt University and was hired as one of the Country’s first civilian professors at The United States Military Academy at West Point. Tommy was proud to represent his Country teaching at West Point and enjoyed a sabbatical at the NSA. Known for fairness and patience, Tommy was revered by his military and civilian colleagues alike, and the many cadets he taught.

Despite losing his father at age six and mother at age 16, Tommy was the quintessential family man. He always prioritized his wife Betty, mentored his two boys, TJ and Johnson, and retired from teaching to be close to his five grandchildren in Charlotte. Throughout their moves from Texas to Tennessee to New York to North Carolina, Tommy loved being with his family. Over the course of his happy life, Tommy was a modern day renaissance man. He studied computers and technology before it was popular. Tommy enjoyed many diverse hobbies including golf, computer programming, 3D printing, leather and wood working, gunsmithing, welding, ranching, hunting, fishing and SpaceX. A teacher through and through, as his children and grandchildren grew, Tommy always taught them life skills and life lessons. He loved traveling around the country with Betty cheering for his son, Johnson, on the PGA Tour. Most importantly, he was perfectly content at home in Charlotte watching his family grow.

Tommy is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Betty; two sons, Thomas Joy Wagner and Montford Johnson Wagner; two daughters-in-law whom he loved like his own, Maggie Maher Wagner and Katie Winn Wagner; and five grandchildren, Thomas Jamieson Wagner, Philip Tilford Wagner, Katherine McMillian Wagner, Graham Clifton Wagner and Marianne Joy Wagner.

Services will be private for family, and in lieu of flowers, please send donations to The First Tee of Greater Charlotte.