Curtis L. Wagner, Jr.

Judge Curtis L Wagner, JrCurtis Lee Wagner Jr., Chief Judge of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FERC, passed away on Thursday, December 3rd in Alexandria, Virginia at the age of 87. Born and raised in Tennessee, Wagner attended the University of Tennessee College of Law where he graduated fifth in his class in 1951. Prior to attending law school, Wagner graduated from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. In 2009, he was a University of Tennessee Accomplished Alumni Honoree. Wagner met his wife Jeanne in Bristol, Tennessee and following their marriage they moved to Arlington, Virginia. Wagner’s federal service spanned over 60 years. His early governmental career included working for both the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as employment as a civilian with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Army where he was awarded the Army’s highest civilian honor, the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. In 1974, Wagner was appointed a FERC Administrative Law Judge. By 1979, he became the Chief Administrative Law Judge at FERC where he served until his death. As Chief Judge, Wagner routinely adjudicated complex, multi-party cases involving the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. Being an expert in mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution Wagner always encouraged parties to consider avoiding litigation.Wagner was an active member of the Alexandria community. In 1969, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his dedicated service to the Boy Scouts. He also served on the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and on the Alexandria Waterfront Commission.Wagner was an avid sailor and longtime member of the Annapolis Yacht Club. In the summer months, he enjoyed sailing with his family on his sailboat, “Hizzoner.” He was a skilled pianist and guitarist, as well as a member of the Washington Street United Methodist Church Choir in Alexandria, Virginia. Wagner was a believer that you truly never stop learning. He took many courses to explore his interests and developed a great passion for photography. For the past 20 years, Wagner traveled the world taking photos of scenery on five continents and in doing so amassed a portfolio of over 16, 000 prints. His trips took him to such places as Egypt, China, Costa Rica, Italy, Greece, Russia, Alaska and Hawaii; he even traveled to Tahiti on a clipper.Wagner is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Curtis Wagner, mother, Thelma Wagner, wife, Jeanne Wagner, brother, Bill Wagner, sister, Barbara Jones, and son, Curtis L. Wagner III. He is remembered and survived by his son, Rex Wagner, daughter-in-law, Susan Wagner, grandson, Kyle Wagner, granddaughters, Rikki Wagner and Kimberly John, grandson-in-law, Philip John and great-grandsons, Greyson John and Austin John. The family will receive friends from 1pm to 3pm, and 6pm to 8pm, Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314. A Life Celebration service will be held at 1:30pm, Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Washington Street United Methodist Church, 109 S. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314, followed by interment at Ivy Hill Cemetery, Alexandria, VA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, P.O.Box 25036, Alexandria, VA 22313.