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Gregory Sawyer Hagel

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Bolles School Emory University University of Florida

Gregory Hagel Obituary

Gregory Sawyer Hagel Gregory Sawyer Hagel died peacefully on Sunday, October 4, after a long, valiant battle with cancer, with his wife, sons and good friends around him. Greg was born October 29, 1950, in Omaha, Neb., to Dr. Donald R. and Bette Wefso Hagel. He grew up in Ortega Forest in Jacksonville, Fla., and graduated from the Bolles School in 1968. He attended Emory University (Atlanta) where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, then transferred to Tallahassee Community College. He met Katherine Lagasse in August 1969, and married her on December 18, 1971. He was a home builder before enrolling at the University of Florida (Gainesville) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction, and where his first son Matthew was born. He moved his family to Savannah Ga., where his second son, Andrew was born. He was offered a job at Watkins Construction Co. in Tallahassee in 1985 as head estimator. When Watkins downsized their construction division, Greg started his own business – Hagel Construction LLC. Several years later, Watkins asked him back, where he remained until its demise. He was immediately snapped up by Childers Construction Company as the Chief Estimator. Childers Construction Company was more family than a job. He loved working there and, being the consummate micromanager, worked from home during his final days. Greg was an avid golfer and was on the Bolles Golf Team. Throughout his life, he participated in local tournaments where he was often instrumental in helping his team win. He was the "coach" of the Watkins softball team. He took mentally disabled adults bowling once a week (at his own expense) for more than ten years. His passion was fishing. Fishing with his sons, "piddling" in his garage with his extensive collection of lures, reels and rods, and being on his bay boat at sunrise was his nirvana. Of his many fishing buddies, his favorite was Katherine. Greg is survived by his wife, Katherine (37 years); and his sons, Matthew Gregory (Kimberly) and Andrew Christopher of Tallahassee; his parents, Don and Bette Hagel and sister, Robin Cooper (Brad) of St. Augustine; and sister, Jennifer Pate (Rob) of Athens, Ga. The Memorial Service will be at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Rd. (TLH) at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday, October 10, 2009, with reception after in the church hall. Make contributions in his memory to the Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. TLH FL 32308, or the St. Marks NWR, PO Box 368 Association, St. Marks, FL 32355 (850-925-6121).

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

Published by Tallahassee Democrat on Oct. 8, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Hagel

20 Entries

Robert Wellon

October 12, 2009

Dr. and Mrs. Hagel, Greg was my little brother in the fraternity at Emory, and a better and more engaging brother I never met. One of the fondest memories was of a trip to the annual Fla/Ga game and being guests in your home, enjoying a very special dinner of pheasant. You were such gracious hosts, and Greg was so accommodating. We lost track over the years, but he always held a special place in my heart. He surely developed into a most successful and caring family man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you both. My best, Rob

John Moore

October 12, 2009

I knew Greg professionally during his time at Watkins and later at Childers. He was always a pleasure to work with- a knowledgeable professional with an easy disposition- a combination rare in construction. Please accept my prayers and deep sympathy for your loss.

Doris Choate

October 9, 2009

Dear Dr. Hagel,

My condolences to you and your family in the loss of your son, Greg.

You delivered my first child, Marvin Gregory Choate, more than 55 years ago, shortly after you joined Dr. Coudon in his practice. It was 20 years later that you delivered my first grandchild (Marvin's daughter, the love of my life). She passed away 4 1/2 years ago, so I know a little what it's like to lose a child that is so dear to one's heart. I can only say that the precious memories you have of Greg will be a comfort to you and your family. I am so thankful that all my children (3 - you delivered my last child also) are well and healthy.

I shall keeo you and your family in my prayers.

With sympathy ad war regards,

Doris Choate

Jacki Yates

October 9, 2009

Dr. Hagel and Family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son, Gregory. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of grief. May God be with you and Bless each one of you.

Mark Carrillo

October 9, 2009

I met Greg back in the mid 90's as a rep for a wholesale supply company. I got to know Greg vety well and I enjoyed calling on him for business and friendship. I will miss his honesty and integrity, humor and sincerity, genuineness and honor. He will be trully missed in the Tallahassee building community. My deepest condolences to his great family and many friends.

Bill Bice

October 9, 2009

I met Greg when he started with Watkins back in '85, and have really enjoyed doing business with him thru the years. He was a great guy, and an outstanding role model for anyone that knew him. He was very good at what he did and was honest and hard working. I've had the pleasure of working as a subcontractor on several of his projects over the years. I wish there were more guys like him in the construction industry.

October 9, 2009

Dr. Hagel and family: I extend my sincere sympathy. S.Jones-Former Secretary-DCPHU

Rob Thompson

October 9, 2009

I have only known Greg for 3 1/2 years, but it felt like a lifetime. I really enjoyed going to his office and discussing fishing, work or whatever else we came up with. He touched alot of people with his kind and caring nature. He will be sorely missed.

Diane McKenzie

October 9, 2009

Katherine, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I loved working with Greg at Watkins. He was very helpful in helping me learn when I first started with the company AND even more important he would get mice and really big spiders out of my office! After Watkins had closed, he was still helping me, he helped when I had a water leak at my house...I will always remember the picture in my head of him and Hunter digging a huge hole trying to find the leaky pipe. You both have always been special to me and I am so sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed so very much.

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy."
Eskimo Proverb

Diane McKenzie a.k.a. Boom Boom

Devon Igou

October 9, 2009

Katherine,Andrew,Matthew,
I would like to send my heartfelt condolences.Truly a man worthy of respect,and I'm honored to call him my friend.I value every moment that became a memory and can't recall every not laughing at something while being around him.Greg had the presents to allways bring out the best of anyone in any situation without intentions and just by being himself.I worked with Greg between 1985 and 1992 but it never seemed like work because he was allways a pleasure to be around.

David B Milligan

October 8, 2009

Katherine, I wanted to send my sympathy to you and your family with the loss of Greg. Greg and I knew each other for about 10 years through a very good friend of Greg Kocher. He was on many of my jobs and very well liked. He was a very good person and will be missed by many. I wish I could be there, as he was a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

David B Milligan (Knoxville, TN)

David B Milligan

October 8, 2009

David Tweedie

October 8, 2009

Katherine, Andrew, and Matthew
We are very sorry for your loss. The world has lost one of it's nicest people, and we will miss him. I had the privilege of working with Greg at Watkins for many years and considered him to be a good friend. Greg always had a positive outlook on things and bore his recent illness with the greatest dignity imaginable. I hope that you all can take solice in knowing that Greg is now in a better place.

Jeff Doxsee, Jr.

October 8, 2009

Dear Hagels,
I just wanted to express my dearest condolences to everyone and to say that ya'll are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Hagel's a great man and he will be missed. My earliest memories are of going over to the Hagel residence to watch wrestling matches, we had a great time.

Wallis Walker

October 8, 2009

I had the pleasure of working with Greg the last several years. He became a very good friend in these years and I will miss him very much. I know I am a better person for having known Greg.

All of us at Childers Construction are saddened by this loss and are praying for his family. Rest in Peace Greg.

Jennifer Doxsee

October 8, 2009

Andrew & family--
I didn't know Mr. Hagel, but if children are a reflection of their parents I'm quite sure he was an awesome man! Advice that has helped through family passing is when feeling down, think of all the great memories you have. My thoughts are prayers are with you all.

Silvia Alderman

October 8, 2009

To the Hagel Family, we remember all of you fondly from our days when our kids were in Scouts together. I see that Greg shared my birthday (October 29) as well as my Nebraska roots. We are saddened to hear of his death and extend our sympathy to all of you. You will be in our prayers.

Silvia Alderman, for the Alderman family (Mike, Matt and me)

Gary Wynn

October 8, 2009

My most vivid memory of Greg was back in the early Watkins days. He was working on remodeling the First Baptist Church building and they were trying to find an underground water line running below the basement. He knew it was there but didn't want to dig up the whole basement to find it. I told him I could divine it for him using two welding rods (having never done it but having seen it done once). He laughed at me but decide "Why not?" We went to the church that evening after the crews had gone (he didn't want anyone to see this crazy thing we were about to do.) and I proceeded to walk a grid marking the points where the rods indicated flowing water. Both of us laughing at ourselves and each other the whole time. After a while Greg even decided to give it a try. When we were done we had two relatively straight lines marked in the basement. The next day, Greg had his crew dig along the lines and that afternoon he came to my office laughing harder than before. We had in fact, found two underground water lines. That is what I remember most about Greg. He was always laughing or smiling. He enjoyed his work, he enjoyed life, and he enjoyed the silly. I haven't seen Greg since Watkins ended and I left town. He will be missed. I am sorry for your loss and I pray that God will comfort his family and friends until that time we will all meet again.

terry coughlin

October 8, 2009

To the Hagel family. Greg was an awsome person. While working with him at Watkins I will always remember him for his smile and words of encouragement. May he rest in peace .

October 8, 2009

Greg was a very nice and humble man to work with. I did not know him well but in the short meetings and phone conversations I had with him I could tell he was an honest and light hearted man. That is something a family can truly be proud of. My prayers are with his family and friends.

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