Lee LaVern Hager

Lee LaVern Hager obituary, Brooklyn, NY

Lee LaVern Hager

Lee Hager Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 17, 2024.
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.

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May 8, 2024

Mary Lord posted to the memorial.

May 7, 2024

Andy Faught posted to the memorial.

April 18, 2024

Earl and Cheryl Brown posted to the memorial.

3 Entries

Mary Lord

May 8, 2024

I was sad to hear that Lee passed away. My thoughts and prayers to his Wife, Ann, his Children, Grandchildren and Friends. Lee was a true leader, educator and had a great love of his family. I appreciated his help in understanding issues we faced on the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) School Board where I served for many years. He exemplified patience, kindness and support for our students and educators. Thank you, Lee, for being a beacon for our students. In reading his memorial, I have an understanding of his wisdom. He lived a wonderful life, had an amazing family and lived to the fullest. I am honored to have known him and grateful for his support of my time on the FUSD School Board and his service to our community. God Bless Hager Family.

Andy Faught

May 7, 2024

I am saddened to come upon this news. In my first job out of Arizona State journalism school, I covered the Flagstaff Unified School District for the local paper. I was young and dumb, and I once mentioned that the school board "shot down" on a 3-2 vote whatever it is they were voting on. Then an assistant superintendent, Dr. Hager didn't take kindly to the hyperbolic language, and I don't blame him. Thank you, Lee, for letting me make my errors of judgment at your expense. You were a good man who always took time to explain issues for me in my coverage. For whatever reason, I Googled you today. I have learned that you died just a few weeks ago. Peace to you and your family. I shall light a candle in your memory. I appreciate your tiny role in my life.

Earl and Cheryl Brown

April 18, 2024

(From Earl) In the late 1970s I was teaching a class of all boys many of whom had been adjudicated at Greenway Jr. High. My boys were active and tended to have anger issues so I decided I would work on their fighting skills after school with heavily weighted boxing gloves. One afternoon, I was paid a visit by the new assistant principal who I hadn't yet met and he informed me that boxing was not allowed in public school. The boxing gloves that I had ordered would be returned to the sender. I then informed this new assistant principal that it might be wise for him not to visit my classroom after 3pm. And I never saw this new administrator, Dr. Lee Hager, from there on until we became fast friends. Lee, Ann, Cheryl & I have spent the last 40 some years spending New Year's Eve together no matter where they lived. I have too many memories to list here. Rest in peace, my friend.

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May 8, 2024

Mary Lord posted to the memorial.

May 7, 2024

Andy Faught posted to the memorial.

April 18, 2024

Earl and Cheryl Brown posted to the memorial.