12/21/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today issued a proclamation ordering all State flags displayed at all State facilities be displayed at half-staff from dawn to dusk on Friday, December 23, 2011, the day of services for former Delegate Earl Brumfield Hager, of Logan, West Virginia.
"I was saddened to learn of Earl Hager's passing," Gov. Tomblin said. "Earl was a tremendous teacher and public servant who loved West Virginia and all her people. There are many, many students and individuals who had the good fortune to be guided and learn from Earl. His spirit and personality exemplified what is right about West Virginia and we should all take lessons from the way he lived his life. He did much for southern West Virginia and everything he could in the best interest of the entire state. While Earl will be greatly missed we should all look to his life for inspiration through his passion and commitment for our state. Joanne and I extend our deepest sympathies to Earl's family."
Hager was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates to represent the Nineteenth District in 1952. He served as a delegate until 1973 for twenty-one years under the administration of five West Virginia Governors. At the time of his death, Hager, 102, was the oldest living former West Virginia House of Delegates member.
Throughout his life, Hager remained active in civic, community and political affairs serving in a variety of capacities including the Logan County Commission, the State Education Commission and the Logan County Flood Zoning Commission. In 2008 he was inducted into the West Virginia Voter Hall of Fame for voting in every general election for at least fifty consecutive years.
Prior to his political work, Hager obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Education from Marshall University in addition to serving in the Unites States Army during World War II. In his later years, Hager wrote his autobiography,
I Made a Difference, Earl B. Hager, Educator and Legislator.
Hager is survived by his daughter, Mary Anne More (Michael); son, David Hager; son, Earl Bradley Hager; seven grandchildren and his close friend and caretaker, Diane Ohmacht. He was preceded in death by his mother, Fanny Hager; father, Golden Hager; and ten brothers and sisters.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
304-558-2000