John Howard Bagley, Sr., of Hagerstown, MD, was born on February 28, 1952, and passed away on April 2, 2026, with his family by his side. He lived 74 years, or as he always said, "I'm halfway to 148".

John was the loving husband of Nancy, and together they built a life worth staying sober for, centered on devotion to each other, and service to their beloved fellowship.

He was a proud father to his sons, John Jr., Mark (Krista), and Brian. He also embraced his stepdaughters, Ami (Brian), and Dianne (Joe). He was a well-loved and respected grandfather to Markee (Aaron), Lucas, Whitley (Joel), Jazmine (Ben), Brianna, Jarod (Morrigan), Benjamin, Sara, Jeffrey, and Michael. He loved being a great-grandfather to Leona, Kallee, Sophia, Amelia, Cooper, Elliott, and Callum. He is greatly missed by his sisters Kathy, Roberta (Hunter) and Barb (Michael); his brothers Tom (Helen), Bill, Ric (Robin), and Kenny (Trish); many nieces and nephews and a host of friends who knew exactly how blessed they were to have him in their lives.

John graduated from South Hagerstown High School in 1970. Although he had the aptitude and was chosen to attend IBM school after high school, John knew that "computers weren't going anywhere anyway", so he chose a different path and joined his stepfather, Robert Myers, in the construction trade which served him well for 44 years before his retirement from the Mid Atlantic Regional Carpenters Union in 2014.

John had a gift for creativity and enjoyed using his carpentry skills to renovate his home and to build furniture and gifts for his family and friends. He served others with a generous spirit, spending time with anyone who needed his experience, his hand, his tools, or his sense of humor to lighten their day. John could make people laugh when they least expected it, and often when they needed it most.

He was a spiritual man, living with a quiet trust in God and a deep awareness that he had to give away what was so freely given to him in order to keep it. It was important to John that he abide by his mother's advice to say one kind thing to someone every day, and he was faithful to that practice.

John will be missed beyond words for his shared experiences, and remembered with gratitude, affection, and laughter, because that is what he would have wanted. Now he rests in the peace of God, where his labor is finished, laughter is full, and love goes on forever. Rest well my love and best friend, as you attend the big meeting in the sky, until we meet again.

Arrangements are being made by Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Boulevard, Hagerstown, MD where there will be a visitation from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 17, 2026, and a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Wells House, Inc., 330 Frederick St., Hagerstown, MD 21740 or Brooke's House, 17670 Technology Blvd., Hagerstown, MD. 21740.