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Jon Hager Obituary
Sam Lovullo, who produced "Hee-Haw" and was a friend of Hager's, said Hager was found dead in his apartment Friday morning. He was found in bed and apparently died in his sleep.
Lovullo said Hager had been in poor health and was depressed since his identical twin brother, Jim Hager, died in May 2008.
The twins were in the original cast of the syndicated TV show, which debuted in 1969 satirizing country life with a mixture of music and comedy. Both were guitarists and drummers.
The Hagers had worked with country star Buck Owens and joined "Hee Haw" when Owens signed as the show's co-host with Roy Clark.
Lovullo said they were originally hired for their musical talent, but as the show went on they incorporated more comedy into their act.
"They had a fun personality," Lovullo said. "They were also the answer to the Hee-Haw Honeys. We were always looking for the other side of the gender — for good looking hunks. They fit the bill very nicely."
The Hagers left the program in the mid-80s and continued to perform together.
The twins were born in the Chicago area and lived in Los Angeles before "Hee Haw." They said in 1998 that they had been together all their lives except for three and a half years, after Jon left Los Angles and moved to Nashville. Jim remained on the West Coast, but eventually followed.
"They were always contributing their talents to whatever was needed, not for money but just so they could help out. They did a lot of fund raisers and were supportive of young people who were ill," Lovullo said.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
231 Entries
Linda Fish
August 28, 2024
I loved watching Jim & Jon on Hee Haw. They were awesome, sang great & were funny. The world lost great entertainers when they passed.
Twila Myers
May 27, 2024
I loved to watch HeeHaw , especially when the Hagers performed. I love their music, great harmony. So sad to hear about their passing.
December 9, 2021
I will really Miss these too great Individuals....I am currently watching Hee Haw and boy them boys could sing and they were very funny...Its sad when good people die on us...God bless you too awesome people....Love the Hager Boys...
Amy clark
May 4, 2020
Im sending my prayers and my love to john and jimmys parents im sorry for the loss of your sons
How you can show support
Amy clark
May 4, 2020
I loved john and jimmy on hee haw they were always the funniest brothers i ever saw
Amy clark
May 4, 2020
Im sorry about john and jimmy i had a crush on those brothers
May 4, 2020
I knew these two brothers since i was a little girl i use to watch john and jimmy on hee haw on saturday nights they were cute boys they will be dearly missed
Kevin Kearns
May 27, 2018
These brothers were a part of the HEE HAW show that I always looked forward to hear. Without them the show would have not been as good . I truly miss those good old days and watch the reruns every chance I get .
patty bryant
April 15, 2018
Enjoyed you on Hee Haw.
January 28, 2018
I loved you' boys on Hee Haw, so good and funny. I saw the show the two of you were in a tv show but is was only shown in California. Wer went when Jacky ward was on the show and enjoyed the show so much. I do miss both of
you. Still watch hee haw on tv and love i't.
Debra Van Sipe
December 24, 2017
still be listening to his music. Still watching him on Hee Haw.
Debra Van Sipe
December 24, 2017
My Family loved listening to their music on Hee Haw. They will be missed but there music will go on. Debra Van Sipe (Spratt, Michigan)
Scharlotte Markham
October 30, 2017
I worked with them in the paddock steak house in So Sioux City Iowa 1965 they were just kids. Had breakfast with them when we closed. I was in Nashville on vacation when Jim died sad day. I teased them about the women. In a little town those girls loved them.They loved the girls.
Brenda Wick
September 16, 2017
I remember watching you and your brother Jim on Hee Haw. Now you and your brother can sing with the angels. May you both rest in peace.
Norma Hardin
August 31, 2017
Very awesome guys, love still the old Hee Haw shows with them in it. So sorry for loss of such great funny talent. Will be missed, and God bless the family.
Norma from Harrison, Tennessee.
Dawna Lilly
August 17, 2017
I Loved Both Jon And Jim They Were Great On Hee Haw They Will Be Missed
Sharon Foster
July 30, 2017
Sharon Foster I was fan of him and brother
Ruby Cook
July 1, 2017
I love the Hagars and sorry they are not with us any longer. I still watch Hee Haw and see them on there.
Deb Yates
April 5, 2017
You guys were great. Back when comedy was clean, and fun to watch.
Marvin Sidebottom
March 14, 2017
They will. be miss. Very much i always watch them every week. I had my head glue to the tv. watching them .
Red
October 26, 2016
What a sad day for the music world. Oddly Jon Hagar died a few days before my dad. The Brothers will be missed.
diane chronister
October 6, 2016
Jon and Jim were the best part of hee haw , I was able to see them in person at the Louisiana hayride when I was younger and fell in love with them then, you will both be truly missed!
A Lee
September 18, 2016
Jon and Jim are missed. Hee Haw was a good show with a great cast. One of the longest running shows and most beloved people.
Walter Dixon
August 15, 2016
I miss you guys.
Lady Bug
July 17, 2016
God Bless
Jennifer STONNER
June 14, 2016
Breaks my heart about these two. Seemed as they couldn't live without each other...RIP and may you be singing in Heaven. Your memory lives on in the reruns I enjoy...and bless your life's work-good men.
Tammie W.
May 15, 2016
So sorry to hear of the passing of the Hager twins. May they both rest in peace together now. I can remember watching them when I was young and now I watch them on HEE HAW every Sunday night on RFD tv. We still love them both and will miss them very much.
Yolanda
March 12, 2016
Awesome brothers who not only brought their country music style to "Hee-Haw" but their humor. I loved their music and laughed at their comedy skits. Ahhh.... life was better then.....Rest with angels, grab a handful of stars.
Troy Herman
March 2, 2016
Rest in Peace Jim & Jon. I still watch Hee Haw reruns every Saturday night, and hearing you guys perform was and still is the best part of the show. My favorite song that you guys performed was "Sunflower". Thanks for the great memories!
Maryanne Mcghee
February 28, 2016
RIP.the twins..
Robert Homer
February 27, 2016
Loved y'all on Hee Haw..Eat cha box.
December 9, 2015
Revelasion 21.3.4.5.
December 1, 2015
Now your singing with your brother again,and even better your both singing with the angels in heaven!!
A fan
October 13, 2015
I remember them from the early 80s in Branson, MO. Rest in Peace.
Christa
September 6, 2015
Rip
Dolores Burda
August 31, 2015
i still watch heehaw on reruns ,i can't believe there gone.they were so handsome
Ada Dodson
August 4, 2015
I fell in love with twins when i was bout 8 and always will be. Thank you for great memories..
Debra Crouse
July 26, 2015
I'm sitting here,watching HeeHaw on RFD.It sure brings back fond memories!Boy I sure loved those gorgeous guys and they will sure be missed.
Marie Martin
June 7, 2015
I was and still a fan of hee haw. I loved to watch the twins. They were fantastic. Only 5 years older than myself but they had the beat and the move and grove.
Bea Komlosi
May 29, 2015
Love the twins. Cheer me up every time. They were my age then
Tami Price
April 6, 2015
You and your brother will be dearly missed bless all the families
Tami Price
April 6, 2015
I love to watch the rearuns of hee haw my son was born on August 30 1984 we love to watch the brothers hager you all will be Dearly missed bless you all we will always be a hager and hee haw fan bless all the families
Yvonne Griffith
January 24, 2015
I sure did enjoyed watching Hee Haw and the Hagerstown Twin....I will miss them..
JamesR Smiley
January 4, 2015
Used to watch them perform on Hee Haw, always thought they had great natural talent, loved their music. God Bless the Hagers, making music for the MAN in charge of it all now, he's getting some great harmonies up there.
Verna Baskey
November 30, 2014
I just found out about the twins deaths. So sad. I had a crush on them back in the 70 s. I loved them and their singing. They will be greatly missed. You both will be remembered always.
kevin woodward
November 23, 2014
I growed up watching Hee-Haw..the Hager brothers will always be greatly missed.
RAMONA PARKER
October 13, 2014
IM A BIG FAN OF HEE HAW IVE WATCHED THE SHOW SINCE I WAS LITTLE ILL MISS THE HAGER TWINS RIP JOHN AND JIM WE'LL MISS U
Teresa Shafer
October 13, 2014
Love the reruns on RDF Glad Suddenlink added that channel.LOve HEE HAW and the Haggard brothers.I wish that they would come back with Hee Haw on reg. channels for today kids.
nanny s
September 14, 2014
Loved them on Hee Haw.Watching them now on reruns on RFDTV, Sunday nights..I had heard they both passed away but heard nothing else after that. It is so sad!
Barb Comstock
September 7, 2014
The twins are surely missed, I enjoyed their singing.
Laura Wynne
July 27, 2014
I love Jon hager he is handsome man
tina james
July 6, 2014
I always like them on hee haw they was the best ones on there i hste that they past away
May 18, 2014
Knew Jim&Jon since 1964 was in Baumholder Germany with them in the Army.Next time seeing them was in Marion Ohio where they put on a show.Most recently saw them at Highland High School in Morrow County Ohio they put on a show for Morrow Cty Sheriff's Dept.Just found out the passing of Jon,may they bouth rest in piece together.Will deeply mis there laughter.Howard Honaker
rick
April 26, 2014
Missed
March 29, 2014
I worked with them in 1981,82 and 83 in Branson,Mo.at the Hee Haw Theatre.They were great,great guys.They will both be missed.
Mary Ann Helton
March 18, 2014
I real enjoyed seeing them on Hee Haw. I have to admit I had a crush on them Now they're singing for Our Lord
Tim Murphy
January 26, 2014
Always enjoy reruns on rfd tv. You both were so talented and seem like you were good people. Thanks for childhood memories from the show.
Nancy Hathaway
December 23, 2013
Such good you men. Loved their singing!!!! Nancy Hathaway, Chiefland, Fl.
peggy fesperman
December 2, 2013
loved the Hager twins on Hee Haw I still watch the Hee Haw reruns. rest in peace
Lynn Standerfer
December 1, 2013
Watching HeeHaw rerun from days gone by this evening. This candle light burns on as memories of the twins...thank you Jim and Jon for the good times that we can still enjoy today. Lynn
johnnie SMITH
November 28, 2013
Always loved the Hager twins .R I P .
Judy Ford
November 17, 2013
Rest in internal peace together.i am a twin and I lost my sister at age 39 21 years ago.it was very hard being a twin left as I felt half of me was cut in half.twins are close.my condolences for the family.
Pam Gibson
October 27, 2013
Was watching Hee Haw thought I would Google the Hager twins. But didn't realize that they both had died . May you both R.I.P. God bless your families.
Ebby Troche
October 25, 2013
Loved you both on Hee Haw, still catch the reruns. Happy you're together again, rest in eternal peace.
Barbara
October 23, 2013
Still watch you guys on heehaw. You were very good singers; miss you both. Jon was my favorite
Amber
October 8, 2013
God bless the Hager family....
Robin Diane Hamilton
October 6, 2013
Still to this day watch Hee-Haw re runs..and tonight i googled the Hager Twins.R.I.P boys...you deserve this candle...for all the joy you brought to others...So happy you boys are TOGETHER AGAIN.
Naomi
September 25, 2013
Just thinking of you both, prayers.
Debbi Searcy
September 1, 2013
I had such a crush on both of you when I was little , just recently learned of both your passing . Thanx for all the wonderful memories on Hee Haw :)
Joel Gadbois
August 14, 2013
Thinking of Jon and Jim. I remember seeing them early in their careers at the Black Angus in Minneapolis. What an amazing life they had! Rest in Peace
August 4, 2013
From Tom, RIP For Jon, Jim and my Mom who passed two days ago..
August 4, 2013
I will always remember them, with love and a smile in my heart. RIP Jon and Jim. Thank you for the good times.
Al Manook
July 22, 2013
Both brothers brightened my place when "Hee Haw" was on.
Wonderful memories!
larry collette
July 17, 2013
When I watched "Hee Haw"; they were very funny and talented. They will be missed.
Christine Wallace
July 14, 2013
God bless
Mark Davis
July 11, 2013
The memories are unforgettable.You made millions smile.Ill think about you both often.Rest In God's Peace.
P Myers
March 9, 2013
I think the hangars are the greatest ever..I watch them on hee haw on RFID every wk.p Myers,kansas
dawauna harris
January 24, 2013
I love you and your brother and miss you both on hee haw!!!
January 19, 2013
Got to know them at the Roy Clark golf classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Drove them around for the tournament they were a blast. Thanks for the memories. I hope the Grits in heaven are the way you like them.
o
January 6, 2013
My heart is broken. Watching them right now on Hee Haw.
Becky White
December 25, 2012
I just found a picture of Jim and I at my parents' house when he was visiting Montana in the early 1980s. Fond memories and fun times; didn't know Jon but if he was anything like his brother then I know he was a nice person. Saddened to hear of their passing and yet somehow does my heart good to know they are together at that jam session in the sky!
Peggy Fairchild
December 9, 2012
My husband and I just watched them on Hee Haw and we were wondering what ever happened to them, it's sad to know that they're not still around. I thought they were a cool part of the show. I still love my Roy Clark though!! We'll miss the Hagars always.
Mark Hamilton
November 18, 2012
I just watched them perform "Walking the floor over you" on Hee Haw. I googled them to see what they looked like these days, sorry to find that they have moved on.
Debbie Brown
October 28, 2012
Like others, I was curious about these twins and discovered through Google their passing. Sorry to learn of this. I enjoyed watching them (as a child) on Hee Haw.
Tinnie Fulks
September 5, 2012
My honey and I were just eatching an episode of heehaw and googled the twins. What a surprise to find out the loss of them both. Our deepest sympathy.
phyllis palmer
August 12, 2012
my husband and i just watched an old episode of heehaw they were so good still missing their magic 2day
Fred Davie
April 5, 2012
I found a ticket stub when I was cleaning out some old stuff of mine. On the back of the stub it says "Hi- Sunshine & Love" John Hager Jim Hager. Guess I met them in 1970 but don't really remember. Sorry to hear they have passed away. I guess we're all getting old
Annie Carr
March 11, 2012
ICONS..GREATLY MISSED WONDERFUL LOVED
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