Richard Lee Hagan

May 13, 1943 – January 29, 2020

Richard Lee Hagan passed away on January 29, 2020. He was born on May 13,

1943 to the late Claude and Dagmar (Christianson) Hagan.

After high school graduation in 1961 he attended one year at Iowa Wesleyan

College before beginning a career in sales. In April of 1965 he was inducted into

the United States Army. Lee was sent to VietNam where he served with the First

Infantry, the Big Red One. He was wounded in December of 1966 and was

awarded the Purple Heart. Sadly, he spent the remainder of his life suffering

from PTSD due to the trauma of war. He worked in sales for 20 years for various

companies before retiring.

In 1988 he reunited with Carol Utsinger DiBona, a lifelong friend, also from Aledo

She became the love of his life. Lee moved to Cary, IL and they lived together for

9 years before they were married on June 24, 1997 in Barrington, IL. Through this

relationship he gained a son, Paul DiBona, a daughter, Pam Pinkley and his

precious grandchildren, Tasha, Alexa, Joe Pinkley, Jaclyn Wallace and 2

great-grandchildren, Trent and Rowan Wallace. He and Carol were delighted to be

“honorary” great grandparents to Evan Jancovic. Lee LOVED babies! He held

them, changed diapers, babysat, played with them and when they grew older, he

happily attended all their school and sports events and delighted in their

accomplishments. To them he was known as Papa Lee! He often said that those

years were the best years of his life.

Lee, as he was known to family and friends, was an avid sports fan. In high school

he played basketball, football, baseball and track. His favorite pastime was

following the NCAA basketball teams. He memorized players and stats, followed

the careers of individual players from high school through college and on to the

NBA. College football was also an obsession. If there was a game on TV he was

watching!

Lee and Carol spent many wonderful summers on Washington Island where they

enjoyed the Little Cabin in the Woods and floating on the beautiful water at

Schoolhouse Beach, feeding the hummingbirds and relaxing. It was his favorite,

peaceful place to be. At a later date he will be laid to rest in the Washington

Island Town Cemetery, which was his wish.

Lee will be deeply missed by his loving life partner of nearly 32 years, Carol; his

step-children Pam Pinkley; Paul (Renee)DiBona; his grandchildren and many

loving nieces and nephews; and friends. To all of us he was known for his famous

heartfelt, huge, all embracing hugs which will be remembered so fondly.

Lee is survived by brother, Raymond Dean (Susan)Hagan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Russell Claude Hagan;

sisters Myrtle Jean Spence/Martin; Dagmar Joanne Howell; Nannnie Lorraine

(Harold) Ott; Susan Lucille Heath (Earl)Barr; and Donna Marie (Delmar) Harmon.

Our family would like to thank the wonderful neighbors of Cherokee Estates in

Murphy, NC who lovingly watched over Lee and offered kindness to him and to us

during the last two- and one-half years of his life.

Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin -Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37404, 423-265-4414. Plea