HARLINGEN, TX. - John William Wagner

76, passed away on November 24, 2008 at his residence.

John was born May 11, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois to John Wagner and Mary Lynch Wagner. He was the co-founder of CTO, Inc., a commercial plumbing company in 1973 and retired in 1991 and passed the reins to his wife and son to carry on his dreams.

John went to Military school in Chicago, Illinois and later went on to take several Dale Carnegie courses in public speaking and human relations. He was a quick study at anything he attempted and was not afraid to take on anything.

John served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1952. In his youth John enjoyed boating and flying. In his later years he read extensively and cherished his time with his grandchildren. John had a soft spot for stray animals and opened his home and his heart to numerous pets.

John is survived by his wife of 38 years Jo Rae Wagner; sister, Mary Lou Wade; children, Todd (Katie) Aune, Steve Aune, Brian (Sandra) Wagner, Judy Watkins, Jackie (Bill) Stanfield, Kelly Brown, and John Wagner; grandchildren, Megan and Jaden Aune; and numerous other grandchildren.

A celebration of John's life will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008, 6 p.m., at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.

For those desiring to do so, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 8207 Callaghan Road, Suite 140, San Antonio, TX, 78230 or the Rio Grande Valley Independent Plumbers Alliance (RGV-IPA), P.O. Box 1899 San Benito, Texas 78586.

You are invited to sign the guestbook or leave a condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com.

Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.

Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/ValleyStar/Obituaries.asp.