Thomas Wagner Obituary

Thomas Bruce Wagner lost his battle with cancer on the morning of October 26, 2021 at the age of 61. Bruce was born September 13, 1960 to John Samuel and Shirley Joan (Winters) Wagner in the town of Lawrence, Kansas. In 1970 his family, including his two younger brothers Brian and Brenn, relocated to Baldwin City where he graduated high school in 1978. He married Rosemary Henige in 1982 and had three children, Tristan, Clarissa and John. He was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for 20 years filling many positions from den leader, pack leader, committee chair, and day camp program director for the Pelathe district. He also served as the program director for Bear Camp at Theodore Naish Scout Reservation in 2008 and 2009, and spent several summers working at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. He met his partner of 12 years, Carol Stevenson at a scouting event in 2009. Scouting was an experience he shared and treasured with all three of his children. He was a mentor and role model for hundreds of children and teens he worked with throughout the years and will be remembered for his unique sense of humor and for finding the fun and joy in any task. He was a self-employed house painter in the Lawrence area for over 30 years and much of his work can still be seen around town today. He is survived by his best friend and partner Carol Stevenson and her two children Timothy and Sarah, former wife Rosemary, three children, two brothers, his great aunt and uncle, two nieces, six grandkids Rylie, Kathryn, Karias, Karianna, Raegan and Rozlyn; many other relatives and friends. He was a renaissance man, and lived his life the way he pleased - "I did it my way." Memorial celebration will be held this Saturday, October 30 from 2:00-6:00 pm at Clinton Lake State Park, Overlook Shelter #1. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Thomas Bruce Wagner memorial Bear Camp scholarship on gofundme.