James S. Wagner, 65, of Banner died Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

Memorial service is 11 a.m. Thursday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with George Tellez officiating. A reception will follow in Banner Community Hall.

Born Dec. 28, 1944, in Sheridan to Preston and Thelma (Jeffers) Wagner, he grew up on the Wagner Ranch on the Tongue River and attended the Wagner School through eighth grade. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1963, then attended Sheridan College.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he graduated from the University of Wyoming with bachelor's and master's degrees in microbiology.

He married Sally Chapman on Aug. 24, 1968, in Laramie.

They lived in Cheyenne, where he was assistant director of the Wyoming Health Laboratory for five years, then an agent for Equitable Insurance.

They moved to Banner in 1978, where he continued ranching and selling insurance for Equitable, retiring from the company in 1997.

He was a 4-H and FFA supporter, member of the Fair Board for 10 years, and on the board of Prairie Dog and Kearney Ditch companies.

Mr. Wagner enjoyed raising Limousin cattle, horses, reading a good book, and especially time with his grandchildren and visiting with friends and family.

He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Carol; a sister, Patricia Weber; and a brother, Keith Wagner.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Todd of Sheridan and Cody of Greensburg, Ind.; a brother, Gerry Wagner of Belgrade, Mont.; a sister, Virginia Rohrer of Columbus, Mont.; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may benefit the donor's choice.

The Sheridan Presss - January 20, 2010.