Alfred Wagner, Jr. passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday, September 25, 2011. He was born June 11, 1928, in Winedale, TX, to Alfred and Lina (Spies) Wagner.

He graduated from Roundtop Carmine School, where he played basketball and won bi-district. He attended Texas A&M and graduated with a B.S. in Geology in 1949, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, 1st lieutenant.

Al married high school sweetheart Ruby Lee Doerr on September 4, 1949.

After graduation, he went to work for Lane Wells in Odessa, Lubbock, and Monahans (Dirt City). He was hired later as a geologist for Plymouth Oil Company and moved to Sinton, TX, in 1952. In 1957 he and Ruby moved to Corpus Christi where he worked as a geologist for Skelly Oil Company and later moved to Houston with Skelly in 1965.

After Skelly Oil, Al became an independent geologist where he built a successful oil exploration company until his death. Always frugal, he always put back money for a rainy day to provide for his family. He was a member of AAPG, HGA, Association of Former Students and made contributions to the Corps of Cadets and 12th Man Foundation; he was maroon-blooded Aggie. He was a staunch supporter of the Winedale Historical Society, his family’s homestead, and on the board of members for 9 years. He had a kind and generous heart, always willing to help those in need. His passions of life were his ranch in the hill country, hunting, fishing, dancing, his fighting Texas Aggie football team and band, his children and grandchildren and spending as much time as possible with his loving wife.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife for 62 years, Ruby, daughter Linda Wagner Ward and husband Cecil Ward of Phoenix, sons James G. Wagner of Dallas and Ross E. Wagner and wife Cassandra of Houston. Grandchildren Dr. Michael Ward and wife Alicia of Austin, Dr. James M. Holmes Jr., Summer Holmes Warner and husband Andy, and Blake Ward of Phoenix, Rubianne Wagner, Karina Wagner, and Brendan Wagner of Houston, and his sister Verline Grace Wagner Fuchs and husband Melvin.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father Alfred and Lina Wagner and three brothers Arlin, Oliver, and Cordell.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, from 5pm – 8pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home-chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079; 281-497-2210.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at 2pm at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 14200 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079; 281-497-0250.

Flowers can be sent to Memorial Oaks Funeral Home or in lieu of flowers memorials be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77480. Please designate the Ruby D. and Alfred “Al” Wagner, Jr. ‘49 General Rudder Corps Scholarship in the memo line of the check.