Who is Art Wagner?

After attending a two-hour Celebration of Life service on Monday night for the revered East Valley educator who passed away on May 15, here are a few descriptions and traits offered by various folks at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. A lot of people that knew him best.

Generous. OK, lots of people are generous. That doesn't single Art out, but he is that. And more so with the precious commodity of  time than anything else.

Football star. Yes. Played at a school prep football aficionados have heard of in Odessa, Texas called Permian High. The school of Friday Night Lights' fame.

Bear-hugger. A show of affection Art at times would offer. Afterward the recipient might have felt some sort of affliction as a consequence.

Brother. Someone who you could count on to have your back or help you in a pinch. Oh, that was Art. Just ask the dozens of current athletic directors and fellow administrators who fired off phone calls. texts or emails to get answers they didn't know or deal with situations they hadn't encountered.

Jobs in education.  A bunch. Security guard. His first job in education at McClintock High School. Equipment manager. His second job at McClintock High. Coach. His third job at McClintock. Teacher. His fourth job at McClintock. Assistant principal-athletic director. His fifth job at McClintock High. Assistant principal-registrar at Mountain Pointe High School.  Athletic director for Higley Unified School District.

Smile. A huge one. An infectious one. When you spend part of your life in Texas, everything is big. Part of his positive demeanor.

"It's all good". A typical Wagner concluding line. More of the positive nature of the man.

Off-duty. Doesn't apply. Probably never applied to Art.  

Selfless. Indisputable, but perhaps to a fault.

Loved. If you attended the service Monday, you knew or quickly discovered how true that is.