Charles Ronald (Ronnie) Wagner's earthly journey is over, and he has finally made it home. Ronnie was born in Eatonton, Ga., on Aug. 26, 1946, and left us on May 20, 2025. He moved to Jacksonville, Fla., in 1959. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran, Mason and Shriner. He married and moved to Live Oak, where he lived for the next 50 years. He worked as a truck driver as he and his wife, Jene, raised their family. Ronnie's favorite pastime was taking the family fishing, camping and spring hopping. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jackson and Henry Wagner, his brother Jerry Wagner, and his beloved wife, Bettie Jene. Later in life, he met and married Gayle Stroupe. They both enjoyed river activities, music and travel, and together, they discovered a love of cruising. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Wagner; his sister, Marge Hester; and children, Rhonda (John) Arnold, Tracy (Mike) Guillery, Dustin (Tanya) Wagner, Cindy (Jeff) Housden and BJ (Leah) Stroupe. Also by grandchildren Micheel (Liz), Colby and Caleb (Tessa) Guillery, Chelsea (Bryce) Kearse, Bruce (Sunshine) and TC Arnold, Dale and Nicholas Housden and David and Emily Stroupe, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Ronnie was optimistic, fun-loving and a joy to be around. His motto was "I want to die living, not live dying," and he tried to do that every day. No matter the physical obstacles he had to overcome or work around, he found a way to enjoy life with activities and projects to the very end. Ronnie's life was rich in friends, family and love, and he will be deeply missed. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Ronnie's memory.
