Son of Drew Wagener & Kimberly Day Wagener
Brother to Connor Aaron Wagener MEMORIAL ID #126270669
Maternal grandparents: Delos Elsworth Day Jr.(28423242) & Margaret Viola Melling Day (132078336)
Paternal grandparents: Lonny Wagener & Shari Taylor Wagener Maharg(182807160)
Obituary
Corey Patrick Wagener, 20, of Hickory passed away Wednesday, April 26th, 2023.
Born on April 22, 2003 in Traverse City, Michigan, he was the son of Drew Wagener and Kimberly (Day) Wagener.
Corey is preceded in death by his brother, Connor Aaron Wagener; maternal grandparents, Delos and Margaret Day; and paternal grandmother, Shari Maharg.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother Tyler Wagener of Troutman, NC; maternal uncle, Roger Day of Marion, MI; paternal aunt, Laura (Tim) Johnston of Oscoda, MI; paternal step grandfather, Joseph Maharg of Harrisville, MI; paternal grandfather Lonny Wagener, of Greensburg IN; and his pet and best friend, Bear.
Corey had so many struggles to overcome in his young life, with many of them regarding his health and well-being. He beat the odds from day one of being able to live life. He proved everyone wrong, even though he endured 30 surgeries that ranged from head to toe. Nothing stopped him from doing what he needed to do or wanted to do. He may have struggled doing it or finding a way to do it, but that was part of the struggle that he overcame. These struggles may have caused a bit of a mean streak in Corey, but he also overcame that and became one of the kindest, warm hearted young men that anyone could ever meet. He was the first to offer help to anyone and give them an opportunity that many wouldn't. Regardless of the situation, he thought everyone deserved a chance. Corey also had a distinctive sense of humor that whoever encounters will not forget, because you would still be laughing days later. Corey matured into a motivated young man with a strong work ethic that matched his ole' soul.
From the time he could walk, Corey had a love for anything with an engine, which led to a deep-rooted passion for dirt track racing. Corey was also a skilled welder and fabricator that included unique metal artwork and building his own race cars from the ground up. He learned more about racing in his short life than most learn in a lifetime. His strong work ethic proved to be successful in starting his own business, "Wagener's Welding." He also made customized work benches that he sold by the dozens, along with working a full-time job during the day. His creative mind was always working on ways to "work smarter, not harder." If he didn't have it, he made it. Bear was the best business partner, and Corey never left him behind. As racing was his other passion, he wanted to win, but when he didn't, he was the first to congratulate his fellow team members. Corey wanted everyone to be the best they could be. He was never at a loss for spreading a kind word or helpful advice, such as "drive it in deeper." Corey's sportsmanship was definitely one of a kind.
A funeral ceremony will be held Saturday, May 6th at 1:00 PM in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home officiated by the Rev. Monica Childers. A luncheon will follow the service in the Jack Bass Memorial Building for all to attend.
A receiving of friends and family will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 1:00PM.
In memory of Corey, donations may be made to www.smiletrain.org or you can send a check or money order to Smile Train 633 Third Ave, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Corey, please visit our floral store.
Events
MAY
6
Visitation
Saturday, May 6, 2023
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel
334 2nd St., NW
Hickory, NC 28601
Get Directions
MAY
6
Service
Brother to Connor Aaron Wagener MEMORIAL ID #126270669
Maternal grandparents: Delos Elsworth Day Jr.(28423242) & Margaret Viola Melling Day (132078336)
Paternal grandparents: Lonny Wagener & Shari Taylor Wagener Maharg(182807160)
Obituary
Corey Patrick Wagener, 20, of Hickory passed away Wednesday, April 26th, 2023.
Born on April 22, 2003 in Traverse City, Michigan, he was the son of Drew Wagener and Kimberly (Day) Wagener.
Corey is preceded in death by his brother, Connor Aaron Wagener; maternal grandparents, Delos and Margaret Day; and paternal grandmother, Shari Maharg.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother Tyler Wagener of Troutman, NC; maternal uncle, Roger Day of Marion, MI; paternal aunt, Laura (Tim) Johnston of Oscoda, MI; paternal step grandfather, Joseph Maharg of Harrisville, MI; paternal grandfather Lonny Wagener, of Greensburg IN; and his pet and best friend, Bear.
Corey had so many struggles to overcome in his young life, with many of them regarding his health and well-being. He beat the odds from day one of being able to live life. He proved everyone wrong, even though he endured 30 surgeries that ranged from head to toe. Nothing stopped him from doing what he needed to do or wanted to do. He may have struggled doing it or finding a way to do it, but that was part of the struggle that he overcame. These struggles may have caused a bit of a mean streak in Corey, but he also overcame that and became one of the kindest, warm hearted young men that anyone could ever meet. He was the first to offer help to anyone and give them an opportunity that many wouldn't. Regardless of the situation, he thought everyone deserved a chance. Corey also had a distinctive sense of humor that whoever encounters will not forget, because you would still be laughing days later. Corey matured into a motivated young man with a strong work ethic that matched his ole' soul.
From the time he could walk, Corey had a love for anything with an engine, which led to a deep-rooted passion for dirt track racing. Corey was also a skilled welder and fabricator that included unique metal artwork and building his own race cars from the ground up. He learned more about racing in his short life than most learn in a lifetime. His strong work ethic proved to be successful in starting his own business, "Wagener's Welding." He also made customized work benches that he sold by the dozens, along with working a full-time job during the day. His creative mind was always working on ways to "work smarter, not harder." If he didn't have it, he made it. Bear was the best business partner, and Corey never left him behind. As racing was his other passion, he wanted to win, but when he didn't, he was the first to congratulate his fellow team members. Corey wanted everyone to be the best they could be. He was never at a loss for spreading a kind word or helpful advice, such as "drive it in deeper." Corey's sportsmanship was definitely one of a kind.
A funeral ceremony will be held Saturday, May 6th at 1:00 PM in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home officiated by the Rev. Monica Childers. A luncheon will follow the service in the Jack Bass Memorial Building for all to attend.
A receiving of friends and family will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 1:00PM.
In memory of Corey, donations may be made to www.smiletrain.org or you can send a check or money order to Smile Train 633 Third Ave, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Corey, please visit our floral store.
Events
MAY
6
Visitation
Saturday, May 6, 2023
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel
334 2nd St., NW
Hickory, NC 28601
Get Directions
MAY
6
Service
Son of Drew Wagener & Kimberly Day Wagener
Brother to Connor Aaron Wagener MEMORIAL ID #126270669
Maternal grandparents: Delos Elsworth Day Jr.(28423242) & Margaret Viola Melling Day (132078336)
Paternal grandparents: Lonny Wagener & Shari Taylor Wagener Maharg(182807160)
Obituary
Corey Patrick Wagener, 20, of Hickory passed away Wednesday, April 26th, 2023.
Born on April 22, 2003 in Traverse City, Michigan, he was the son of Drew Wagener and Kimberly (Day) Wagener.
Corey is preceded in death by his brother, Connor Aaron Wagener; maternal grandparents, Delos and Margaret Day; and paternal grandmother, Shari Maharg.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother Tyler Wagener of Troutman, NC; maternal uncle, Roger Day of Marion, MI; paternal aunt, Laura (Tim) Johnston of Oscoda, MI; paternal step grandfather, Joseph Maharg of Harrisville, MI; paternal grandfather Lonny Wagener, of Greensburg IN; and his pet and best friend, Bear.
Corey had so many struggles to overcome in his young life, with many of them regarding his health and well-being. He beat the odds from day one of being able to live life. He proved everyone wrong, even though he endured 30 surgeries that ranged from head to toe. Nothing stopped him from doing what he needed to do or wanted to do. He may have struggled doing it or finding a way to do it, but that was part of the struggle that he overcame. These struggles may have caused a bit of a mean streak in Corey, but he also overcame that and became one of the kindest, warm hearted young men that anyone could ever meet. He was the first to offer help to anyone and give them an opportunity that many wouldn't. Regardless of the situation, he thought everyone deserved a chance. Corey also had a distinctive sense of humor that whoever encounters will not forget, because you would still be laughing days later. Corey matured into a motivated young man with a strong work ethic that matched his ole' soul.
From the time he could walk, Corey had a love for anything with an engine, which led to a deep-rooted passion for dirt track racing. Corey was also a skilled welder and fabricator that included unique metal artwork and building his own race cars from the ground up. He learned more about racing in his short life than most learn in a lifetime. His strong work ethic proved to be successful in starting his own business, "Wagener's Welding." He also made customized work benches that he sold by the dozens, along with working a full-time job during the day. His creative mind was always working on ways to "work smarter, not harder." If he didn't have it, he made it. Bear was the best business partner, and Corey never left him behind. As racing was his other passion, he wanted to win, but when he didn't, he was the first to congratulate his fellow team members. Corey wanted everyone to be the best they could be. He was never at a loss for spreading a kind word or helpful advice, such as "drive it in deeper." Corey's sportsmanship was definitely one of a kind.
A funeral ceremony will be held Saturday, May 6th at 1:00 PM in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home officiated by the Rev. Monica Childers. A luncheon will follow the service in the Jack Bass Memorial Building for all to attend.
A receiving of friends and family will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 1:00PM.
In memory of Corey, donations may be made to www.smiletrain.org or you can send a check or money order to Smile Train 633 Third Ave, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Corey, please visit our floral store.
Events
MAY
6
Visitation
Saturday, May 6, 2023
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel
334 2nd St., NW
Hickory, NC 28601
Get Directions
MAY
6
Service
Brother to Connor Aaron Wagener MEMORIAL ID #126270669
Maternal grandparents: Delos Elsworth Day Jr.(28423242) & Margaret Viola Melling Day (132078336)
Paternal grandparents: Lonny Wagener & Shari Taylor Wagener Maharg(182807160)
Obituary
Corey Patrick Wagener, 20, of Hickory passed away Wednesday, April 26th, 2023.
Born on April 22, 2003 in Traverse City, Michigan, he was the son of Drew Wagener and Kimberly (Day) Wagener.
Corey is preceded in death by his brother, Connor Aaron Wagener; maternal grandparents, Delos and Margaret Day; and paternal grandmother, Shari Maharg.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother Tyler Wagener of Troutman, NC; maternal uncle, Roger Day of Marion, MI; paternal aunt, Laura (Tim) Johnston of Oscoda, MI; paternal step grandfather, Joseph Maharg of Harrisville, MI; paternal grandfather Lonny Wagener, of Greensburg IN; and his pet and best friend, Bear.
Corey had so many struggles to overcome in his young life, with many of them regarding his health and well-being. He beat the odds from day one of being able to live life. He proved everyone wrong, even though he endured 30 surgeries that ranged from head to toe. Nothing stopped him from doing what he needed to do or wanted to do. He may have struggled doing it or finding a way to do it, but that was part of the struggle that he overcame. These struggles may have caused a bit of a mean streak in Corey, but he also overcame that and became one of the kindest, warm hearted young men that anyone could ever meet. He was the first to offer help to anyone and give them an opportunity that many wouldn't. Regardless of the situation, he thought everyone deserved a chance. Corey also had a distinctive sense of humor that whoever encounters will not forget, because you would still be laughing days later. Corey matured into a motivated young man with a strong work ethic that matched his ole' soul.
From the time he could walk, Corey had a love for anything with an engine, which led to a deep-rooted passion for dirt track racing. Corey was also a skilled welder and fabricator that included unique metal artwork and building his own race cars from the ground up. He learned more about racing in his short life than most learn in a lifetime. His strong work ethic proved to be successful in starting his own business, "Wagener's Welding." He also made customized work benches that he sold by the dozens, along with working a full-time job during the day. His creative mind was always working on ways to "work smarter, not harder." If he didn't have it, he made it. Bear was the best business partner, and Corey never left him behind. As racing was his other passion, he wanted to win, but when he didn't, he was the first to congratulate his fellow team members. Corey wanted everyone to be the best they could be. He was never at a loss for spreading a kind word or helpful advice, such as "drive it in deeper." Corey's sportsmanship was definitely one of a kind.
A funeral ceremony will be held Saturday, May 6th at 1:00 PM in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home officiated by the Rev. Monica Childers. A luncheon will follow the service in the Jack Bass Memorial Building for all to attend.
A receiving of friends and family will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 1:00PM.
In memory of Corey, donations may be made to www.smiletrain.org or you can send a check or money order to Smile Train 633 Third Ave, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Corey, please visit our floral store.
Events
MAY
6
Visitation
Saturday, May 6, 2023
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel
334 2nd St., NW
Hickory, NC 28601
Get Directions
MAY
6
Service
Gravesite Details
Corey's cremains were divided between his mother and brother.
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