Dr. George Frederick Wagoner

Dr. George Frederick Wagoner of Manistee, formerly of Cadillac peacefully passed into eternity November 7, 2018 at 10:58pm. He was 83. He was at his home in Manistee with family by his side. George was born December 12, 1934 to the late George Henry Wagoner and Elnor Gail Thornton Wagoner in Jackson, Michigan. George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Beverly Jane Case Wagoner. His half- brother, Robert Paul Spinde of Wasilla Alaska. His half- sister Betty Wagoner Brown Aldridge of Coldwater also preceded him in death. George is survived by his daughters, Marie Elizabeth Linn [Jack] of Cadillac, Linda Katherine Turner of Frankfort, and his son, Michael Thomas Wagoner [Heidi] of Sumner, WA. George has three grandchildren, Cayme Marie Sharp Olsen [Dillon] of Ogden, Utah, Michael Robert Wagoner (Mimi Ngyun Wagoner) of Sumner, WA, and McKayla Nicole Wagoner of Bend, Oregon. George also has two great- grandchildren, Avery Jane Olsen and Stella Ross Olsen both of Ogden, Utah. Many nieces and nephews as well as their children will always remember their Uncle \'Corky\'. He is also survived by his very close friend Diana Glass. George graduated from Dearborn High School. The Ford Motor Company awarded George a full scholarship to any college of his choice. He attended Ohio Wesleyan then transferred to the University of Michigan where he graduated from the school of medicine specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. George held a passion for the miracle of birth and life. He practiced OB/GYN in Cadillac for 28 years. He and his partner Larry developed the first family oriented birthing room in Michigan at Mercy Hospital, Cadillac. They also initiated the first VBAC [Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.] in Northern Michigan, ahead of U of M. George\'s first priority in medicine was always the patient. George retired from Mercy Hospital as Chief of Surgery. George served his country in the US Navy as Commander, Flight Surgeon, and Senior Medical Officer aboard the USS Yorktown CVS 10. He later served as a driver for the DAV transporting US veterans to medical appointments across the state. He volunteered thousands of hours and accumulated over 100,000 miles on the road. George is a life member of the VFW, a member of Post 4499 in Manistee where he served as the Surgeon and Chaplain. He also served as VFW District 12 Surgeon. George served as Chaplain and Commander on the United Veterans Council Ritual Team. He was an active member of the Manistee Veteran\'s Memorial Park restoration team. One of George\'s veteran passions was the Wexford/Missaukee, Veterans Endowment Fund he established through the Cadillac Area Community Foundation. George\'s friend Ted, had this idea to give back to our country by helping veterans and their family members in need. George believed and lived by the motto, "If you see or think of a good idea, follow your heart, and just do it.Ã¢â‚¬Â George fully supported Ted\'s fund in Manistee, as Ted supported his in Cadillac. Together they pushed for a fund to be started in Mason, and Five County Grand Traverse Area. It is their dream that all counties in Michigan establish a fund to help veterans and their family members in need. On Memorial Day 2018, George served as the First Grand Marshall for the Manistee Memorial Day celebration. Attired in his dress whites he led the parade and flag salute. George stated, "I am humbled and honored.Ã¢â‚¬Â "Doc truly is an officer and gentleman,Ã¢â‚¬Â was heard often in the community. George was very active in the community. He mentored students in Wellston. He belonged to all the local veterans organizations and participated in their activities. Following in his father\'s footsteps, he became a member of the Elks and was honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year for 2016-2017. George was an active member of the Rotary and served as President of the Manistee group. He served on the Manistee board of Love INC. and the Manistee County Community Foundation. George was a supporter of the Manistee GOP and Tea Party. He served as President of the Salvation Army in Cadillac. George shared his talent and love for crocheting by teaching classes at the Northern Spirits shop in downtown Manistee. George began his career guiding precious life into the world, his passion turned to the elderly the last few years. He served as Vice President on the Board of the Manistee Council on Aging. "Seniors deserve our honor and respect. They have earned it with life experience. They deserve to leave this world with the joy they entered it with.Ã¢â‚¬Â George was always caring for others. He was always ready to lend a hand, give a ride, and share a smile or a story. He was there to give a little nudge so someone would feel included. George gave of himself with time and love. The Manistee County Council on Aging (MCCOA) honored George and his late wife Beverly by naming the new Senior Center after them. "I\'ve looked for a fitting memorial for Bev for eleven years and this is it, this is it. It will live on when so many memorials I know are just gone. THIS WILL LIVE ON.Ã¢â‚¬Â he told those closest to him. "The inclusion of Mom makes it meaningful to me,Ã¢â‚¬Â he told his daughter, Marie. Others always came first. George\'s greatest achievement was as Husband and Dad. George lived an active life in retirement. He and his beloved wife, Beverly spent seven months a year sailing the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean on their 35\' Island Packet sailboat. They shared many exciting adventures together on land and sea. George and Beverly made many good friends along the way. George loved telling stories of their adventures. He was an outstanding story teller. George led by example, he demonstrated a passion for life. He taught his children and grandchildren "to be part of the solution, rather than the problem.Ã¢â‚¬Â George always told them to have a passion for their life\'s work so they could have fun each day instead of just going to a job. George always put family first and showed his love daily. George was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Manistee. He served the church as Deacon and Moderator where again he lead by example. George loved serving God and others. George will be interred with his beloved wife, Beverly, at the Freedom Emanuel Evangelical Memorial Cemetery, Freedom Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan. May he rest in Peace having fulfilled his goal of making the space around him better for his being there. He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed. His life was well blessed and gracefully lived. Memorial services will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ Friday November 16 in Cadillac and Saturday November 17 in Manistee. Both services will take place at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Manistee Council on Aging Dr. George Frederick and Beverly Jane Wagoner Senior Center, AKA the Wagoner Center. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Dr. George Frederick Wagoner

December 12, 1934 - November 7, 2018