John Douglas Wagster

John Douglas Wagster, Age 71 of Royal Oak, Michigan departed this earthly life on June 10, 2022. He had been battling with Aplastic Anemia for many years and was receiving treatment at the University of Michigan Hospital at the time of his death. John was born on June 9, 1951 in Union City, TN to John L and Helen Parker Wagster. His family moved to Campbellsville, Kentucky soon after John was born where his father owned the Ben Franklin store. While living in Campbellsville, John attended Campbellsville Baptist Church where he professed faith in Christ and was baptized. He is a member of Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, the local chapter of Optimist International and an enthusiast of all things’ sports. John attended Campbellsville High School where he was a football standout and recently inducted into the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame at the inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony held December 2021. John accepted a full scholarship to advance his competitive spirit, love for football and academic pursuits at the University of Tennessee. He was an All-SEC defensive tackle, with 120 tackles in both his Junior and Senior seasons. A 2019 article lists John as #3 of “Tennessee’s top all time players from Kentucky”. John and Phyllis Goff began dating while in high school, and married following John’s graduation from UT. They traveled extensively, both domestic and abroad, for several years before settling into a permanent residence and career in education. Their love for one another and spending time together kept them travelling and experiencing new places throughout their 48 years of marriage. Following a successful football and undergraduate endeavor, John went on to earn his PhD in Finance from Texas A&M University. Johns hard work and dedication were punctuated with a 29-year career in teaching and research at Wayne State University in Detroit. John retired from WSU in 2021 with the distinguished title of “Associate Professor Emeritus of Finance”. John D. Wagster is survived by his wife of 48 years, Phyllis Goff Wagster, Brother Steve (Patti) of Dayton, TX and sister Marilyn of Reisterstown, MD along with a host of relatives and friends who have been blessed by their time with him. A Celebration of Life is planned for Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at 10am, a Service at 11am and there will be a lunch to follow. Contributions in John’s name are suggested to be made to Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, 320 West Seventh Street, Royal Oak, MI. 48067