Dates
Kenyon Lewis Wagner 90, of San Angelo died on November 16, 2020. He was born in
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on March 31, 1930, the first of three sons of Louis and Grace
Wagner. He grew up in Detroit and after graduating from Southeastern High School in
1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, under a program which called for a period of active
duty, followed by a time in the reserves. Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, he was
called into active duty and sent to Korea. While serving there, he was captured on May 18,
1951. He endured a 400-mile forced march to a prison camp on the banks of the Yalu
River. Near death, he was the first POW repatriated in April 1953. A photo on page 1 of
the New York Times for April 12, 1953, shows him on a gurney being taken off a plane in
Japan. His experiences as a POW were featured in several books on the Korean War and
in Life Magazine. He spent the next two years in Army and VA hospitals.
Urged to seek a warmer and drier climate, he enrolled in Eastern New Mexico University in
Portales and began his teaching career there. He married Margaret Armstrong of Roswell,
New Mexico, in November 1959, and they became the parents of two sons. He and
Margaret were divorced in 1985. He taught at Lamar University in Beaumont for two years
and then entered the graduate program at Texas Tech University, where he was awarded
his Ph.D.
He joined the faculty of Angelo State University in 1968 and taught English there until his
retirement in 1994. His specialties were British literature from Shakespeare to the
contemporary novel, creative writing and film.
At the age of fifty he became passionate about long distance running, joined the San
Angelo Road Lizards, and ran in many 5k and 10k races and marathons including London
and Dallas/Ft. Worth.
Another passion was travel, and for some twenty years he traveled widely. His focus
during his travels was theater and film. He attended Shakespeare Festivals in Stratford,
Ontario, and the Toronto Film Festival for many years. He made some fifteen trips to
London, primarily to see plays. His interest in the cultures of other civilizations led him to
many places in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. An avid reader and film enthusiast, he
kept up with current topics and productions, particularly those with political issues.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Don and Jim. Survivors include his
sons: Andrew and his wife Belinda, Matthew and his wife Dena, four grandsons, Aaron,
Alex, Jack and Joshua and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Grace. Also surviving is
the mother of his children Margaret, of Fort Worth.
Among his many talents was the ability to form close and lasting friendships with many
people. Friends include Marilyn Gragg, Jane Gillis, Dale Middleton, Weldon DeBusk, David
Bushman, and the late Harold Davis, Perry Gragg and Sterling Gillis.
At his request no services will be held. His body will be cremated and his remains interred
with his parents, brothers and family at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy,
Michigan.
Friends who wish to give memorials in his honor are encouraged to make contributions to
the ACLU, 125 Broad Street, New York, 100004-2400.