James Robert Wagoner was born in Concord, NC (Cabarrus County), to the late Reverends Elijah James and Virginia Louise Hough Wagoner, on March 27, 1937. He was called home to be with the Lord on February 3, 2022, at the Presbyterian Hospital, Queens, NY. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters, Peggy Harrell, Lucille Virginia Williams, and Bessie Gaynelle Carter. JBob, as his family affectionately called him, was a graduate of Logan High School, in Concord, NC, with the class of 1955. After a short stint at Alabama State University, he joined the Navy where he received a myriad of accolades. He was the first black to sing in the Great Lakes Naval Training Center Men’s Chorale while he was in basic training. He became a recognized photographer while in the Navy and became the first black Navy aerial photographer. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, JBob returned home and attended NC A & T State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree on August 11, 1967. While enrolled at A & T in 1965, he was a karate instructor at the Hayes-Taylor YMCA. In 1971, he served in the Peace Corps. He later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was awarded his Master’s in Communications on May 12, 1974.
J. Robert Wagoner as he was known by his business associates, started a revolutionary application called “TELEVERSITY.” This was the ingenious use of university instructors teaching classes via live television. Today this concept has evolved and is well known under several titles such as remote learning, streaming sessions, and Zoom. JBob had high aspirations and always wanted to be involved in the theater. This took him to Hollywood where he became a noted cinematographer. Actors and people in the film industry knew J. Robert Wagoner on a first-name basis. He had close professional relationships with actors like Jane Fonda and Leslie Uggams. He received an Emmy for a documentary that was featured in the noted black program that was very popular in the ’70s, ”Tony Brown’s Journal”. But most notably, he has film credits for the movie, “Disco Godfather” which he filmed and directed. The comedic actor, Rudy Ray Moore starred in this movie. JBob left California and moved to New York after several failed attempts to become involved in a major movie. He never gave up on this dream. A prolific writer, he has written numerous small plays and scenes for shows throughout the entertainment industry in New York. There were no boundaries for JBob. He was even a Cantor for a Jewish Synagogue during his stay in New York! JBob was a critical thinker and was driven by close family ties. Family members constantly sought his advice on a myriad of subjects. JBob, in large part, is responsible for the close-knit, highly educated, and accomplished family that he leaves behind. Although he was a patient for several weeks at Presbyterian Hospital Queens, his passing leaves a huge void. Even at the age of 84 he was still active in writing, photography, and being independent and socially active. He will be missed. Those left to cherish his memories are his sister, Phyllis Berry McCrae (Ricky), his only brother, Reverend Booker (Lee) Leander Wagoner (Sara), his sister, Delores Shirley (Othello), his sister, Sandra Wagoner Marshall, and his niece Sylvia Wagoner, who grew up in the Wagoner household as a sister.
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