John Wagenknecht's Obituary
John Wagenknecht 85 died peacefully July 28th 2024 in Cedar Hill Missouri.
John was born January 30, 1939 to the late Henry and Marie Wagenknecht. He is also preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan Wagenknecht; and brother, Jim Wagenknecht.
He is survived by his Daughter Jill and her husband Max. His son Jed, and his wife the Chosen Jill. His son Jason and his wife Amy. His grandchildren Jacob, Jared, Carrie, Chloe and Chase. His Brothers Joe and Tom
While living, John Wagenknecht was the most interesting man in the world. While many may claim this title, none can live up to the following resume:
-
His animal magnetism was so strong that his wife asked for HIS hand in marriage 62 years ago.
-
He once went into a frozen lake in the back country of Colorado to save a drowning horse. After dragging it to safety he stripped off his wet clothes and dried them on some bushes in just above freezing temperatures so he could take his son hunting.
-
A chemist with more than 40 patents to his name, he has lectured to fellow scientists all over the world. During the Cold War he stayed up late one night and hatched a plan to help an East German scientist defect to America. Once the liquor wore off the next day they all decided it was a bad idea.
-
His ”colorful” poetry is so beautiful it could magically calm horses and fix machinery.
-
When an angry lawyer came to our door and threatened to sue him for $1,000,000, my father calmly told him he would break his neck. When the lawyer stuttered that he didn’t see a reason for violence, my father agreed and calmly told him if he sued him for a million dollars and ruined his family’s life over something as petty as a parking place he would kill him. My father then apologized for his friend that parked in front of the lawyer’s house and promised that it wouldn’t happen again. My father won the game of bluffs and the lawyer walked away with his tail between his legs.
-
While in the back country of Colorado, he came upon a mother bear and her baby. Rather than turning and running he continued towards the bear and her baby to see what would happen. The mother bear didn’t like this and reared up on her hind legs. When he didn’t stop approaching she realized this was no ordinary man. She turned, slapped her baby in the rump and they both ran away.
-
While in a National Muzzle Loading Skeet Shooting competition he defeated a USA International Muzzle Loading team member and World Champion in a head to head sudden death shoot off. All of this using an antique muzzle loading shotgun. He didn’t miss one shot.
-
With tens of thousands of hours of donated time and sweat over 40 years, he helped maintain God’s Green Acre Ranch for young girls and their horses. My mother and father both did this because they love helping people. It is why hundreds of those girls call them Mommy and Daddy Wago.
-
John Wagenknecht.....Tough, Honest, Brave, Passionate, Wise, Kind and Loving......The most interesting man in the world!
A Celebration of life will be scheduled within the next few months.
Services provided by Hughes Funeral Alternatives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Family and friends can sign an online guestbook at www.HughesFuneralAlternatives.com
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?