Thomas Edward Hagerty
1944-2015
Thomas Edward Hagerty of Houston passed away on Thursday, the 1st of January 2015, at the age of 70. He was born on the 2nd of May 1944, in Toledo, Ohio, the oldest son of Edward and Betty Hagerty.
A proud husband, father and grandfather, Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Ronnie Hagerty; son, Edward Hagerty and his wife Jacqueline; and grandchildren, Anastasia and Cecilia; daughter, Lisa Hagerty Deatherage and her husband Mike; and grandchildren Dylan and Evan; and brother, John Hagerty.
Tom received a BBA from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and an MBA from Columbia University in New York. Basketball was a passion and he played at the collegiate level for Notre Dame. Tom had a long and successful advertising career from Madison Avenue to Houston where he was Principal of Hagerty Advertising Group for more than 30 years. A sought-after expert and voracious reader, he has been quoted in The New York Times, Advertising Age and The Wall Street Journal. More recently, Tom served as Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the University of Houston-Downtown.
A Memorial Mass is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 5th of January, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Bill Oliver is to celebrate.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to MD Anderson Cancer Center P.O. Box 4486; Houston, TX, 77210 (mdanderson.org); or to the United Way of Greater Houston. PO Box 3247, Houston, TX 77253-3247 (unitedwayhouston.org).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Jan. 4, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Hagerty

Sponsored by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors.

22 Entries

Bing Graffunder

January 11, 2015

I was saddened to hear of Tom's passing. He assisted me greatly years ago as our creative genius in relaunching our branded products. His relentless optimism, never tiring thought process and his timeless wit was always refreshing.

Years later, we'd exchange phone calls and I always hung up laughing, and having a better day, after the call..

He had a way of making instant friends from strangers of all walks of life and dispensed advice with a smile that never threatened nor discouraged you.

I can see him now, next to Saint Peter advising him on the new lighting scheme for the pearly gates, and a way to bring more people through the front door!

The collective light in all who knew him grew a little dimmer on New Years Day.

A truly gifted and wonderful man..

Rest easy Jim...

George Worthington

January 7, 2015

The Columbia University Club of South Texas (Houston) joins in celebrating the good life of Thomas Edward Hagerty. Best wishes of Peace, Love and Hope to the family.

Kate Weise

January 6, 2015

My sympathy to the entire Hagerty family. Losing your patriarch is a tough one especially one as charismatic as Mr. Hagerty. I never could get to the point to call him Tom or to call Mrs H. Ronnie. They just deserved too much respect. I like Mike remember the radio remotes fondly. Long days passing out frozen eskimo bars and compiling free t shirts. I'm sure I have an Elsie the cow shirt somewhere. Rest in peace sir. Fondly,

Ken Schick

January 5, 2015

Please accept my deepest sympathies..I didn't know Thomas, but have been friends and a former HBO colleague of John's for close to 34 years..After reading his obit, I can see that he was a very remarkable person who achieved a great deal in his life..I lost my father also at the age of 70, so know that this is too young an age to say goodbye to a loved one..Again, please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss..
Ken Schick

Janet Amaya

January 5, 2015

Ronnie,
Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for your loss. I will always cherish the years that I worked with Tom. He always carried that smile no matter what, he was always so positive and passionate on every project he had his mind set on. You and your family will be in our thoughts and payers.

Susie Stephens

January 5, 2015

So sorry to hear of your loss. May the memories that remain in your heart sustain you during this difficult time.

Michael Shirl

January 5, 2015

Ronnie - Peace to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the weeks and months ahead. - Michael Shirl

January 5, 2015

Ronnie,
I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. Please know that you & your family are on my heart & in my prayers at this difficult time. Fondly, Carol Deason

January 5, 2015

My prayers go out to the Hagerty family. I pray that the peace of God will carry you through this difficult time. Regards Tyreece Ceaser.

January 5, 2015

Ronnie -Very sad on the loss of your Special Husband, Thomas Edward Hagerty. Please know special prayers of comfort and care are being sent your way. Find comfort in the great loving memories and through God's caring hugs around you and your family. God's Peace will surround you. Valerie NJ/211

Sonia Cervantes

January 5, 2015

Mrs. Hagerty,

Sorry for your lost my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I was really sad to hear about Tom, I worked for him for 10 years @ Hagerty Advertising, he was a great person. I have really nice memories of Mr. Hagerty.... A Great Man

Nikole Amaya

January 5, 2015

My deepest condolences.Your husband was an exceptional, wonderful person. He may not be there physically,but he will always be right there with you in soul. Remember, love never dies. May God soothe the sorrow you're feeling right now.

January 5, 2015

Ronnie, sorry for your loss. Please know thoughts & prayers are coming your way.
-Terry Muehe (GEF)

Vallery Arnold

January 5, 2015

Ronnie, I was sad to hear of the loss of your loved one. I pray that you are comforted with the peace of God and the love of friends and family during this time. Love Vallery (211 Helpline)

Catherine and Doug Graham

January 4, 2015

We are saddened by your loss and hope you will find some solace in your memories with Tom. Peace to you, Ronnie, and your entire family. Love you!

January 4, 2015

Ronnie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family. I pray for the Lord to bless each of you with wonderful memories, comfort and peace. Love, Renee'

Robert Snyder

January 4, 2015

Ronnie I'm sorry to here of toms passing .he was a wonderful man. Bessie and I loved him very much.

Neill Masterson

January 4, 2015

With love, Constant & Neill Masterson

Mike Barone

January 4, 2015

The Hagerty Family is part of my best memories growing up. Meeting Ed in the summer of '83 at marching band camp at Westchester High School started a life-long friendship. Mr. Hagerty's ad agency specialized in consumer branding and promotions; it provided hours of part-time work to cash-starved high school kids. I know we gave him a lot of headaches...

Hagerty Advertising was one of the first agencies in the nation to recognize the potential and brand loyalty of minority markets. We spent a lot of time with La Tremenda AM and Majic 102 FM doing community events and radio remotes. The brands that followed his recommendations still benefit from the core markets he pioneered. Now in marketing, I value what I learned from Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty those years.

Mr. Hagerty is in the record books for wit, humor and sarcasm. Evenings around the kitchen table on Tosca Lane were a hoot and unforgettable. His infectious knowledge of early rock and roll and R&B is another great gift he gave me.

Love to the whole Hagerty family. He is with us always.

January 4, 2015

The Hagerty Family is part of my best memories growing up. Meeting Ed in the summer of '83 at marching band camp at Westchester High School started a life-long friendship. Mr. Hagerty's ad agency specialized in consumer branding and promotions; it provided hours of part-time work to cash-starved high school kids. I know we gave him a lot of headaches...

Hagerty Advertising was one of the first agencies in the nation to recognize the potential and brand loyalty of minority markets. We spent a lot of time with La Tremenda AM and Majic 102 FM doing community events and radio remotes. The brands that followed his recommendations still benefit from the core markets he pioneered. Now in marketing, I value what I learned from Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty those years.

Mr. Hagerty is in the record books for wit, humor and sarcasm. Evenings around the kitchen table on Tosca Lane were a hoot and unforgettable. His infectious knowledge of early rock and roll and R&B is another great gift he gave us.

Love to the whole Hagerty family. He is with us always.

Gus Perez

January 3, 2015

My heartfelt condolences go out to Ronnie and the rest of the Hagerty family. I will always remember the long nights Tom and I spent planning marketing strategy and producing great commercials for accounts such as Adolphus Rice, Bubulubu Candy, Borden's milk, etc. To this day I display the award from the Houston Association of Broadcasters that Tom and I won together. He was the most creative individual that I have ever met. His wit and humor, and his ability to speak eloquently on any topic, be it marketing, sports, politics, cartoons, professional wrestling, you name it, was unmatched. There was never a dull moment when in Tom's company. Godspeed to my admired friend whom I was fortunate to have known. Rest in peace, Tom.

Gary Stone

January 3, 2015

I worked with Tom in the early 80's when I was a salesman at KIKK Radio. We did a huge promotion for Adolphus Rice where we gave away a Pickup every week for 12 weeks and a 13th truck to the winning Disc Jockey. We also did a lot together for Bordens milk. I like all of us will miss Tom. He was such a character. My wife Claudia and I are praying for the family and Tom's friends. Gary Stone

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results