Craig Wagener

We are here to celebrate the life of a man who was as dedicated to a good joke as he was to his faith. Craig Wagener, or Selah as he was also known, was born in the town of Kabwe, Zambia on September 28, 1955. He was a man who found joy in the simple things in life: playing the guitar, listening to music, trying new foods, studying the Torah, exercising, and most recently, moon photography. Not one to let his hobbies distract him from his work, Craig was an ambitious professional, excelling in his dual roles as an optometrist and a business manager. His professional prowess was recognized multiple times, earning him awards like Strathmore and Cambridge’s Who’s Who professional of the year and recognition as a negotiation and mediation expert. Well, who could resist those twinkling eyes and that charming smile, right?

Craig was a man of compassion, always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. He showed this through his involvement with numerous organizations such as Lions Club International, FL Real Estate Brokers, BASCA Board of Directors, and Ravines HOA, where he served as Past President. He was also a dedicated Torah teacher, a role he took very seriously, often reminding us of the verse from Proverbs, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." But don’t let that fool you, he was just as dedicated to making you laugh till your belly ached.

He was a loving husband to Rondi Wagener and a proud father to Lianro WagenerSmith, Candice Wagener, and stepson Zachary Harrold. He was thrilled to be a father-in-law to Anthony WagenerSmith and Wendy Harrold and a doting grandfather to Levi WagenerSmith, Sage WagenerSmith, and step-grandson Zachary Harrold. He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Wagener, and his mother, Eileen O’Connell. Craig found great joy in his family and was deeply loved by them in return. The legacy he leaves behind is one filled with laughter, faith, and love.

The services to celebrate Craig's life are under the care of Milam Funeral and Cremation Services at 311 S. Main Street. We encourage everyone to visit his memorial page to leave your memories of Craig and upload photos. We are sure there are plenty of pictures of him making you laugh and we would love to see them.