Timothy "Tim" Joe Wagner

Timothy Joe Wagner, age 74, departed this world peacefully at home in Yukon, Oklahoma on December 22, 2025, after a courageous battle against acute myeloid leukemia. Tim loved cars and guitars, his family, friends and pets (not necessarily in that order). He was loved by many for his easy-going personality, generosity, sense of humor and love of life.

Tim was born in Oklahoma City on November 20, 1951 to Charles Leo Wagner and Josephine Hollingsworth Wagner. Little Timmy grew up on the family dairy farm in Yukon, Oklahoma where Charles was raised.

He became an accomplished classical guitarist at a young age and began instructing guitar students at age 14. He made his first two acoustic guitars in high school shop class and repaired string instruments as a side business for many years. He played guitar every night, performed in bands and easily played with anyone without rehearsal.

Tim graduated from the University of Oklahoma in three years with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1974 and was hired as the first accountant at Sound Warehouse records and tapes. Two years later he was Sound Warehouse's first franchise operator and achieved one half million dollars in retail sales with three stores in east Texas.

Tim married Colata "Jody" Harlan on June 07, 1980. They spent 50 years together and celebrated 45 years of marriage in 2025. Their son Colin Daniel Wagner was born in Oklahoma City on June 21, 1985. Tim participated in Colin's school activities, coached baseball and football and attended his sporting events, especially little league, high school and OU wrestling. Tim was proud of Colin and taught him to build and repair almost anything. He encouraged Colin's love of fishing and accidentally caught a sailfish himself on the family's first deep-sea fishing trip in Mexico.

Throughout his career, Tim specialized in helping struggling businesses become financially solvent and guiding others in expanding their operations. In 2000, he organized the purchase of Cocina de Mino Restaurantés Mexicano with partners Fidencio Medrano, Angel Medrano, Alan Webb and Pedro de Paz. Tim and the other Enchilada Kings operated the successful business for 22 years until Tim's retirement in December 2022. He said they were by far the best business partners he ever had.

Tim accepted a lifetime chamber member honor for Cocina de Mino and a guitar awarded by The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2021.

He and Jody enjoyed many wonderful vacations, concerts, events, community work and musical jams. Tim was always ready for any adventure Jody suggested. He completely repaired and restored their 121-year-old historic home in Yukon one project at a time. It took him 40 years. At the time of his death, Tim was restoring the 1955 Jaguar XK-140 he drove in high school.

He was preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife, son, sister Glenda Wagner Richardson, brother Wayne Wagner and wife Marla, and many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.

We will celebrate Tim Wagner's life from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Cocina de Mino Restaurantés Mexicano Event Center at 6022 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City.

Tim wanted those who wish to make memorial contributions to consider the Red Dirt Relief Fund at https://tinyurl.com/ysswf4zb or 1611 S Utica Ave #219, Tulsa, OK 74104. This 501(c)3 non-profit organization is Oklahoma's music safety net providing emergency financial assistance to Oklahoma music professionals as they recover from illness, cancer, accidents, natural disaster, addiction and mental health crisis. For more information, phone 918-407-4599.