John Charles "Sonny" Wagner

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - John Charles "Sonny" Wagner entered into eternal rest on Sunday, the 1st of June 2025 in Harlingen, Texas surrounded by his loving family. He was 95 years of age.

Sonny was born on February 9 , 1930 in Brownsville, Texas, son of the late John Joseph Wagner and Manuela Perez. He graduated from Brownsville High School and went on to attend The University of Houston and Texas Southmost College. A proud veteran, Sonny served in the United States Army from December 1950 to November 1952 in Germany during the Korean Conflict. A devout Catholic, Sonny was a parishioner of Our Lord of Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Brownsville, Texas. The fascination Sonny had with trains lead his youngest son to become a railroad engineer with Rio Valley Railroad. They would follow the train from Mission, Texas to Rio Hondo, Texas. 

Preceding Sonny in death were his parents, John Joseph Wagner and Manuel Perez Wagner, and his siblings Anna Marie Byrd, Helen Ruth Wagner, Mary Jean Cueto, Lucille Wagner, and Henry Lee Wagner.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Lily Flora Cortez Wagner; his children Wendy Lynn Wagner Contreras, John Charles Wagner, Jr., and Wayne Alfred Wagner, Sr.; his grandchildren Anthony Aiden Contreras, Caitlynn Elizabeth Contreras, Brianna Nichole Wagner, John Charles Wagner III, Aaron Samuel Wagner, Emma Leigh Wagner Paulk, Wayne Alfred Wagner, Jr., Karen Michelle Wagner Cook, Anna Marie Wagner, Timothy Joseph Wagner, and Kimberly Diane Wagner; his niece, Grace Elizabeth Wagner; and his nephew, George Henry Wagner.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 5th of June 2025 between the hours of three o’clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Thursday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 6th of June 2025 at Our Lord of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 650 E. Alton Gloor Boulevard, Brownsville. Interment with military honors will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Memories of John may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.