Thomas M. Wagner

Thomas M. Wagner, 53, of Fairfield, OH passed away suddenly on February 3, in Mason, OH.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Robert and Sally Wagner on July 23, 1969.  Tom is survived by his beloved son Robert P. Wagner, mother Sally, siblings James Wagner, Jeffrey and Debbie Wagner (West Chester, OH) Lori and Michael Soriano (Lebanon, OH), Amy and Tony Shelton (Bakersfield, CA), Kathy and Andy Butler (Union, KY).  Loving uncle to Taylor, Nicole & Michael Wagner; Sydney, Shelbey and Sierrah Straub;  Christina Soriano; Tyler & Ashley Shelton;  Alexis, Aiden & Kaylee Butler.   He is preceded in death by his father Robert Wagner and step-father Lester Bunk. 

Tom grew up in Colerain Township in a neighborhood where you played kickball on the cul de sac after dinner or depending on the season, played baseball or football on the empty lot after school.  In the summers he and his siblings had ample lists of capital projects to perform around their home including concrete driveway removal, sod relocation, garage construction and wood splitting with a sledge hammer and wedge.  After graduating from Colerain HS in 1987 he received his BA from the University of Dayton in 1991 with a degree in Communications. He graduated from Lewis University with Masters in Communications. Tom was an accomplished videographer and video producer at the Fernald Environmental Management Project.  Here he produced dozens of broadcast-quality training and environmental related videos supporting one of the largest environmental cleanup projects in Ohio.

It’s here he developed a deep friendship and respect for members of the Fernald Fire Department and launched on a new career path.  He started as a part-time Firefighter/EMT in The City of Fairfield in 1993.  He became a full-time firefighter/paramedic six years later. He graduated from Ohio Fire Executive Program.

In January 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.  Tom was the long-time president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 4010 and was well respected by his fellow members and management alike.  In October 2017 he was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief of Emergency Services and was also a SWAT Medic for the City of Hamilton & Fairfield SWAT Team.

His legacy for family, friends and colleagues is that of a loving father, son, brother, uncle and caring friend.  He worked hard, was selfless with his time, generous, quick to smile and possessed a quick and wry sense of humor.   His pride, named after his father and father-in-law – Robert Paul, is now serving as a 911 dispatcher. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Fairfield West Baptist Church, 5345 Muskopf Road, Fairfield. Services will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Fairfield West Baptist Church with procession and burial to immediately follow at Arlington Memorial Gardens, 2145 Compton Rd. Cincinnati 45231. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check, to Butler Tech for the Tom Wagner Memorial Scholarship, that will be awarded to one student per year who will be continuing in the fire service.