Reverend Doctor Richard Eugene "Gene" Hager

HAGER Surrounded by the love of God and his family, the Reverend Doctor Richard Eugene 'Gene' Hager died peacefully on September 30, 2009 from pancreatic cancer. He was 83. Dr. Hager was born April 22, 1926 in Huntington, West Virginia, the son of Wallace Crispin and Lennie Ferrell Hager. He received his education in the public schools, graduating from Huntington High School, after which he volunteered for the United States Navy and served as a Radioman Second Class on the island of Guam during the Second World War. Returning from the war, he enrolled in Marshall University and completed four years of study in three years. He pledged Kappa Alpha fraternity, serving as Number 3 (Secretary). He then enrolled in Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia (now Union Presbyterian Seminary), graduating with a Master of Divinity degree. He served for eighteen months as the senior pastor of Emporia Presbyterian Church, Emporia, Virginia, and then answered the call for chaplains during the Korean Conflict. He served 21 years as an Army chaplain being stationed overseas and in the United States. He served in combat in three wars: World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. While he was Post Chaplain at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, he earned a Master's Degree in Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He was awarded numerous medals recognizing his work with the military, among them the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Victory Medal for WWII, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class. Upon retiring from the military, he moved with his family to Jacksonville, Florida, and returned to Union Seminary to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree. He became the Executive Director of the Pine Castle Center for Mentally Handicapped Adults, a private workshop for the developmentally challenged. During his time at Pine Castle, he enlarged the physical plant by ten acres and several building, doubled the number of workshops, inaugurated residential care, and increased the number of clients from 80 to over 300. Also during this time he served as the supply pastor for numerous Presbyterian churches in and around the Jacksonville area. He was an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the Florida Community College at Jacksonville, and an active Civitan. In retirement he became a Parish Associate for Riverside Presbyterian Church, a Docent at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and a volunteer with the Montreat Conference Center, where the family spent the summer months. Dr. Hager was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Association of Retired Ministers, Spouses, and Survivors, and the Presbytery of Saint Augustine. He was married to the former Anne Peyton Judkins, his wife of 54 years. He was the father of four sons (David Peyton, Peter Crispin, John Wallace and Thomas Preston) and two daughters (Anne Ferrell Hager Tata and Elizabeth Henry Hager Bacon), all of whom adored him. He was a loving and concerned father-in-law to his children's spouses (Katherine, Julia, Robert, Peter, Sandra and Missy), and he was the proud grandfather of his thirteen grandchildren: David Carrison and Katherine Peyton Hager, Julia Reid and Peter Crispin Hager, Jr., Peyton Martha, Carter Elizabeth, Riley Margaret, and Robert Preston Tata, Anne Pierce Bacon, Wallace Campbell and Lucas Eugene Hager, Jane Gray and John Preston Hager. He was beloved by everyone who knew him. He always took time for people whom he met and he graced life with love and laughter, being a true example of a Christian. The world will be a lesser place without his presence, but his memory will be cherished forever. A memorial service and celebration of life and witness to the resurrection will be held at the Riverside Presbyterian Church on Monday, October 5 at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Drs. Stephen Goyer and Dan Thomas officiating. A private burial service will follow at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at a later date. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the staff of the Northeast Florida Community Hospice for their invaluable assistance and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Hager's memory may be made to Pine Castle Center, the Riverside Presbyterian Church, or the Northeast Florida Community Hospice. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com