Lee LaVern Hager

Lee LaVern Hager passed away on April 13, 2024 holding hands with his wife and listening to his favorite songs.

Born in Tucson, AZ in 1948 to Robert and Ruth Hager, and raised in Rochester, NY, Lee lived life well. He loved blues music and U.S. history equally. He attended Woodstock in 1969, married in 1970, and got his first and only tattoo in 2001. He made people laugh, helped those in need, and never once let Parkinson's Disease define him or his legacy.

Following in his older brother's footsteps, Lee joined the Navy at the age of 17. After being honorably discharged, he furthered his education by enrolling at the University of Rochester and later attending SUNY Binghamton before graduating from the University of Arizona in 1972. At the U of A he would go on to receive his Masters of Education and Doctorate of Philosophy and Secondary Education.

He devoted his life to the education of others as a teacher at Franklin High School in Rochester and Smith Middle School on Fort Huachuca, Assistant Principal at Greenway Middle School in Phoenix, Principal at Shea Middle School in Phoenix where he was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award by the U.S. Department of Education, Assistant Superintendent at Central Kitsap School District in Washington and Tucson Unified School District in Arizona, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Flagstaff Unified School District in northern Arizona, and Superintendent at Palominas Elementary District in southern Arizona.

In 1970, Lee met Ann Louise Walrath at Shakey's Pizza near the U of A campus and it was love at first sight. They were married five months later in Sierra Vista where Lt. Colonel Clifford Walrath slipped the long-haired, bearded Lee $40 and told him to take good care of his daughter. While the $40 didn't last long, the love between Lee and Ann did, with the couple recently celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Though quiet and thoughtful, Lee knew how to hold court at parties and could be easily found at any social function by following the sound of laughter. He had a famous quote for nearly every occasion and always took time out of his day to ask you how yours was going.

After losing their first child, Jed, shortly after birth, Ann and Lee became parents three more times, welcoming daughter Jill in 1978, daughter Beth in 1981, and son Ross in 1984.

Aside from his children and wife, his greatest joys in life were taking cross country trips on his Harley Davidson with his best friend of more than 65 years, Mike Harris, and celebrating Christmas with his family which included decorating with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of lights. It was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well.

While Lee dedicated himself to the education of others, he taught all of us what it meant to be a loving partner, devoted family man, and stand up guy. He taught us the importance of laughter, even during life's hardest moments. In his honor, here's his favorite (and most used) Dad joke: When a bug hit the windshield while driving, he'd smile at his kids in the backseat and quip, "He won't have the guts to do that again."

Lee is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ann Hager (née Walrath), his cherished children, Jill Cocking (Jeff), Beth Hager, and Ross Hager (Alyssa), his three beautiful grandchildren, Ina, Jack, and Milo, his older brother Bob (Alice), and sister Joan. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Ruth (née Mullen) and his sister Beverly (Godfrey).

He was loved and will be missed every day. Bear down and rock on, Lee.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Muhammad Ali Parkinson's Center.