David Scott Wagner
David Scott Wagner, 64, was received into heaven on Friday, August 23, 2024.
Born in Tampa, Florida, on December 3, 1959, David grew up an Air Force brat and moved every 3 years. Due to relocating so frequently, he had a special bond with his brother and sisters. To say they were close is an understatement.
David was a graduate of Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas, received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University. David was a hospital administrator for more than 37 years. In his career, he worked for a multitude of organizations including Presbyterian Health System in Dallas, Texas, Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, Texas, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital in Beeville, Texas and St. Francis Health System in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His current role was with HCA Healthcare in Pearland, Texas where he was Chief Executive Officer.
David was passionate about his role in helping others throughout his career and felt it was his mission to care for those who were in need of healthcare. As devoted as he was about the care of the patients that were under his roof, he was equally, if not more so devoted to those whom he considered his team. It was very important to David to know the names of all the employees he had the honor to work with and would lend a hand in any situation. He had been known to empty the trash in the Emergency Department during crisis situations and during holiday celebrations he was the first one in an uplifting costume to help round in the hospital and thank his team for their compassionate work.
One recent highlight of his career was in 2022 when HCA Pearland won first place for Modern Healthcare’s “Best Places to Work”. A nationwide award that made him so proud of everyone in his work family. David was on the board of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and took anactive role in numerous community committees. He was serving on the advisory board for the Healthcare Administration Program in the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University and was also a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
David loved his family. Period. He was their biggest cheerleader. He was fiercely proud of his children and all they had accomplished. If you had a need, he would try and fill it. He thought out the process, figured out how to fix it and sometimes it was with baling wire and duct tape! He loved working with wood and designed and constructed many projects at his houses and homes of family members. He was thoughtful and loved people by doing for them constantly. He would surprise you with a project he had completed and waited for you to notice. He could do more in a weekend than anybody. He prided himself in keeping his property in immaculate condition; even vacant lots in the neighborhood which he mowed and cleared “just because.”
Favorite things of David’s: (in no particular order)
Dancing in the barn to whatever music was blasting out of the speakers
Anything having to do with a beach
His chickens
Watching his family do anything
Rodeos
Motorcycles
Stacking river rocks
RUSH
AAAALLLLLL the dogs he helped rescue and foster
David is survived by his wife of 32 years, Karen; son, Jackson of Houston, Texas; daughter,
McKenna Koch and husband Hunter of Dublin, Texas; father, Donald Bert Wagner and wife Sara of Houston, Texas; sisters Kim Wagner Neuendorff and husband Tom of Fayetteville, Texas, and Susan Wagner Walton and husband David of Houston, Texas; brother, John “Mo” Wagner and wife Alisa of Marble Falls, Texas; father-in-law, Rodney Gail Kring of Lubbock, Texas; mother-in-law, Susan Reynolds Petty of Richardson, Texas; brother-in-law, Scott Kring and wife Leslie of Richardson, Texas; sister-in-laws Karen Petty McHugh and husband Robert of Richardson, Texas and Amy Kring Barrett and husband Randy of Spring, Texas; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Bankert Wagner and his mother-in-law, Mary Ann Kring.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 31st, 2024
New Hope Church, 3640 County Road 58, Manvel, Texas 77578
In lieu of flowers or food
donations can be made to:
HCA Healthcare HOPE Fund
and
Burttschell Rescue Ranch in Sealy, Texas
Rest in Paradise!! Thanks for being so personable and always having a great sense of humor at work. You will be missed.
I know what David meant to our work family; I can only imagine the wonderful life he leaves behind with those who meant the most. David was full of hope, determination, and life! David kept us motivated and encouraged. I admired his attention to detail, and how intentional he was with everything. To have known David is blessing! He left his mark with everyone he came in contact with. Rest easy Mr. Wagner!
What a wonderful friend and person Favod was! Always so kind to everyone in high school! Prayers to his beautiful family❤️
He was fun to talk to in high school and seemed to get along with others so well. So, his myriad of accomplishments and enjoyment of life mentioned in his obituary was no surprise to read. Our Spirit’s comfort to his loved ones.
Dear David, you will be dearly missed! In all my years in healthcare, I have not met a more humble and down to earth administrator as you. You were the perfect example of how a Christian servant leader should be. It has been my honor, privilege and blessing to work alongside you. Until we meet on the golden shore…praying that Jesus will comfort the grieving family and friends during this very difficult time.
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of David. He was an amazing friend to Kevin, I and our family over the years. We are both going to miss him tremendously! He was a shining star in the Pearland community. Everyone felt welcome with David. He always made time for anyone that approached him and always had a smile on his face. He was also a great leader! I could go on and on with all of his amazing qualities, but anyone that knows David already knows what a special person he was. He will be greatly missed and we will keep his family in our prayers during this difficult time. We love you, David! Rest in Peace, Sweet Friend.
What a special person David was; so much like his dad and mother. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, and even by those for whom he made a positive difference in their lives without them even knowing through his anonymous acts of kindness.
David and I were on the same dorm floor my freshman year at A&M. Then decades later was blessed to work with him in Pearland doing EMS related things. Such a pleasant wonderful human being. You couldn’t help but smile when talking with him. He will be missed. A great Aggie is with Jesus, now! Rest in peace, David. Prayers for Karen, his family and friends.
Vance and Ann Riley
I’m so sorry for your loss. David was such a kind soul. Always had a smile on his face and he was always open for a conversation. I came up to me recently while I was working a job at the hospital and we had our usual talk. He even offered to get me some water since I was working out in the heat. You don’t find that many great qualities in people these days. David, you will surely be missed.
I did not know David but I know his beautiful, compassionate wife Karen. She has been an incredible friend to me. I know about his big heart because of the work they both do helping dogs. It comforts me to see the large family that Karen has to support her and her children and I’m sure she has many friends offering support and love. I am devastated by the loss of David and I will be praying for Karen and her family. I send my love and sympathy.
David,
Thank you for always seeing beyond the job title and truly embracing the potential in a leader; fostering droves to incredible professional heights. HCA was blessed to have your colleague-first culture. A kind and selfless leader – you will be missed. I am praying for the family and hope for healing in this tragic time.
With all sincerity,
David was an incredibly special person, and I can never fully express my admiration for him. When my father was admitted to HCA with a stroke and placed in intensive care, David visited him every day and kept me updated. His kindness during that difficult time meant the world to me. David will be deeply missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family durning this difficult time. RIP!
Perhaps, normally, the loss of a brother-in-law is not terribly devastating but David wasn’t just an in-law. He was friend, a person I admired and a charming and really, really good man. Oh my, I hate to not see you anymore!
Dear David ( sir) as I addressed you at all times. You will truly be missed. You called me every holiday I worked as Administrator on Site to tell me how much you appreciated me working the holidays. You would say “ you could have chosen to be with your family this holiday but you are here for the patients”. You will serve food to staff in the cafeteria during celebrations with a smile on your face, making jokes. The last time , you even took food in your truck to staff in the Free standing Emergency Department. You related with every staff in the hospital as individual and not based on title. You served with humility. May your soul rest in peace. Amen.
David was an incredible leader and a wonderful friend. He spent every moment trying to make the world a better place. I will miss him very much. I was lucky to know him. My deepest prayers and condolences for his family. Rest well, my friend.
David will always be remembered by the McHugh family. We were lucky to be a part of his adopted family.
My first conversation with David was over the phone and he told me he was on a bike ride about to have a beer soon. I told him how jealous I was of the situation, and we had a good laugh together.
I had the fortune of working with David and seeing him quiet frequently over the last year. He was kind, compassionate and wonderful to everybody around him. He cared about the people around him. He always had a smile on his face talking to me. I will miss not having him around.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Rest well my friend.
Thank you for a great leadership and dedication to our HCA Pearland Community! We will never forget your kindness and generosity. You were one of a kind and everybody can say the same thing! Thank you for everything you’ve done to all of us! Your name lives on…
In these moments when there are no words, know that the one we love remains beside us, now and always. My prayers are with your family. Rest Peacefully, David.
As I think of David, commitment, patience and kindness are the most striking attributes that he personified in his personal and professional lives. He will be missed dearly and I pray for Karen and the rest of his family. He accomplished a lot for healthcare in Pearland and he was the most collaborative healthcare executive I have ever known. Most grateful for his support and friendship.
I am so, so, sorry, and heartbroken, to hear of David’s passing. He was truly “one of the good guys”. And, he is one of the most compassionate and intelligent leaders I have every met. His passing is not only a great loss to his family but also to our community. I am forever blessed to have known him. My condolences and prayers for Karen and his family, friends, and colleagues. May they find peace and comfort in all the wonderful memories. May you rest in peace my friend.
My deepest condolences to Karen and Jackson and David’s daughter. David will be missed; he was very kind and compassionated to everyone. He always took time to speak and share a laugh. He loved his Pearland family and his farming life! Rest in peace, David.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I am praying for each of you to find comfort in the memories which are very dear to your hearts.
David purposefully impacted the communities he served throughout his career. and shared a positive light with all he came into contact with.
My deepest condolences to David’s family. David was such a wonderful and personable CEO. He was so well respected for all he did at PMC and I know he will be sorely missed. I was always remember my 35 yr award that David presented to me before my retirement. RIP David We lost two great men from PMC ,gone too soon.
This is one that has me with no words!!! David you will be missed. I have learned so much from you. I want to thank you and your wonderful family for making Pearland Team a family. To the family we will always be here for you because you are OUR family!!!
I have a story about David that clearly epitomizes the man that he was. I was at Costco with my college age son and we ran into David. My son had done a project in school about HCA and how well their stock was doing. My son was thrilled to meet David. David spoke to him for awhile about the project and then left to buy his wife flowers. In this moment David exemplified his great leadership and his kindness…a man who loved his community and his family. He touched so many lives. May God bless you, David. I will miss you.
David, this community will miss you a lot. He was such a kind and humble person, and I am so blessed to have known him. May the good Lord give you peace and rest in his bosom. Praying for the family.
My Encounter with our CEO was humbling, during my first day in Nurse Residency orientation , he asked me how to say my name and he said it so accurate and he calls me by my name eversince. The news all a shick to us all. Fir me David will never be replaced. Rest easy sir.
My condolences to the family. I am a PRN RN CM at the HCA Pearland Hospital since 2020. David always went out of his way to speak, share a joke or conversation whenever he saw me. It was a please to work under his leadership. He treated me as if I was a full-time employee. I will miss his warm smile and greetings when I work at the facility. Rest in Heaven David.
David you will be missed by many!
Thanks for all that you did for Pearland and your animal rescue!
May God be with your family! Until we meet again!
Love and prayers!
Rest In Peace. You will be greatly missed. I will never forget the your hard work and leadership and sincere care you showed for each member of your work team. You truly led by example.
It’s well with the Wagner family. David was a good man. RIP
David you’ll be missed. I only knew you for a short time as a Volunteer at HCA Pearland. Enjoyed our short visit.
Sincerely?
Earnestine Randle Forest, Ed.D.
Despite only having met David a couple of times through work, this was still devastating news to me. I think that speaks to the kind of person that David was. He was a professional and respected CEO, yet he had the ability to make you feel like an old friend when he spoke. I can only imagine the loss that his family feels, but I hope they can take comfort in knowing that David lived a life of kindness and impacted so many people in a profound way. Rest in Peace, David
I was good friends with David in high school and beyond – he was the BEST person. David was a great drum major, friend, leader, and human. Rest in peace, my friend.
At the temple there is a poem called “Loss” carved into the stone. It has three words, but the poet has scratched them out. You cannot read loss, only feel it. With the loss of David, we gain a new fondness of the joy he brought into our lives. I will always remember his sense of humor, love for his family, and firm hand shake. He was a good husband, father, and friend. We are always saying “Farewell” in this world…always standing at the edge of loss attempting to retrieve some memory from the silence…. some meaning of it all….someone which is precious and now gone. Farewell my faithful friend. Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. Saint Francis de Sales