Gerald HAGOOD

May 21, 1941 - April 20, 2025

Palm Desert - Gerald L. "Jerry" Hagood, passed away peacefully on Easter morning, April 20, 2025, in Palm Desert, California, his home for over 20 years.

Jerry was born in Tonasket, Washington, on May 21, 1941, to Leo Roland Hagood and Elsie Elizabeth Zachman, where he grew up on what he described as a dirt farm. It was this upbringing that instilled a substantial work ethic that served him well throughout his life.

After high school, Jerry moved to Spokane where he started his family and began attending Kinman Business University. He graduated with a degree in accounting. Later he passed the CPA exam, but in the meantime, had started his real estate career as a bookkeeper at Finucane & Galland, a Spokane real estate and investment firm while still attending school. He bought an ownership interest from Charlie Finucane and formed Galland & Hagood. He then bought out Galland and co-founded Kiemle & Hagood Company with Edward Kiemle, a respected partner-20 years his senior, in March of 1971, a firm founded upon the principles of integrity, professionalism, and community engagement. That firm still exists today after over 50 years.

Jerry was dedicated to his community, industry, company and family. When he became involved, it was with a full effort and regularly became a leader in any organization or initiative. His career led him to the presidency of the Spokane Association of Realtors and the Washington Association of Realtors. He was a director for the National Association of Realtors. He served as a Washington State Real Estate Commissioner from 1979 to 1985. Additionally, he was a founder and early instructor of the national professional CCIM designation. Jerry was honored twice as the Spokane Realtor of the Year and again as the State Realtor of the Year in 1995.

Jerry believed that the Spokane community deserved to have people engaged in serving to make things better. He was a founder and executive committee member of the economic development initiative, Momentum. He served as president of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council. He was president of the board for Dominican Health Services when they merged Holy Family Hospital with Sisters of Providence Sacred Heart Hospital. He continued to serve Sacred Heart for many years. He was a Trustee for Boy Scouts of America and president of the Spokane Club.

He formed the commercial real estate firm with Ed Kiemle and was recognized for his ability to generate real estate investment opportunities, usually forming groups that included a broad network of people who trusted him implicitly. His numerous groups owned many of Spokane's most notable properties.

Jerry learned to play golf later in life and in typical fashion, worked on his game until he became a proficient single digit handicap winning club championships and having seven holes in one. He served on the board of Manito Country Club and as president of The Lakes Golf & Country Club in Palm Desert. He did not do anything half-way.

He is survived by his wife, Nila; son, Doug (significant other, Katherine); and daughter-in-law, Andrea (Pat, deceased); as well as grandchildren, Scott, Ashley, and Jeramy; and several great-grandchildren. Jerry was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Vivian. Tragically, he was also predeceased by three of his children, Scott, Pat, and Michele.

He will be missed by many for his commitment to do things right and honorably. He worked to always make a difference.

To honor Jerry, please consider a donation for the charity of your choice.