Patrick Gray Hager Sr.

Patrick Gray Hager, Sr. ended his life journey and began his new life in Heaven on August 20, 2013 at 86 years old. He was born on February 25, 1927 to Fannie Rebecca Stowe Hager and Linsey (Linn) Webster Hager in Catawba County. He spent his youth on a farm in rural Mecklenburg County near Derita. After graduating from Derita School, he joined the Navy in 1944 at age 17. He served on the ship USS Bausell (DD-845) in WWII. His lifetime career was in the printing world, working on handmade books as well as linotype and monotype presses. He loved books and printed sewn and limited edition specialty series.

He and his wife were members of Eastway Baptist Church for 31 years.

The joys in his life were gardening, playing bridge, working cross word puzzles and visiting with his family.

As a master gardener, he fed his family and friends with green beans and tomatoes annually and taught all of his children how to can vegetables. As an avid bridge player, he had weekly games with his brother Paul Revere Hager and other friends. For years, his daily activity included completing the crossword puzzle. He loved words and their meanings.

His true love was his family and spending time with them.

He is survived by his wife, the love of his life for 64 years, Betty Rachel Helms Hager, and 4 children; Patrick Gray Hager, Jr. (Anne), Rachel Lee Hager McKenzie (Russell), Raeford Lynn Hager (Tamara), and Randy LeeRoy Hager (Marsha). He is survived by six grandchildren, Marren Marie Hager (Jamie Butler) of Brighton England, Lauren Lee Hager, John Thomas Barrett Hocutt, Alexander Gray McKenzie, Grayson Lynn Hager, and Madison Rae Hager all of the Charlotte area.

He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including nephew pallbearers, James Kevin Helms Douglas Linn Hager. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Fannie Bell Lookadoo Hager. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Charles, Horace, Francis, Paul and his sisters, Signora, Mary, Pearl and Eva.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McEwen Funeral Services 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC (704) 334-6421. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 10:30-11:30 AM at Eastway Baptist Church, 2749 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28205-3914. The service begins at Noon directly following the visitation.

The family acknowledges and thanks the wonderful support and care givers in Pat's life; beloved friend, Florence Broome, faithful neighbors, including Mary Chiriaco, the Wills, and Mrs. Carter, Hospice of Charlotte (Harold Hudson, Velra Hairston, Delores Purrill and many RNs), Hospice Staff on Park Road, DaVita Dialysis of Charlotte, Myke McKinney of Bayada, Willie Azaglo, his cab driver, CMC Mercy 5th floor ICU staff, Dr. James C. Bower of Sanger Clinic, Dr. Chitra Medda of VA at Charlotte, Dr. Wheeler Jarvis of Novant Medical Group, the physicians of Metrolina Nephrology and Dr. Lance E. Diehl, MD of Hawthorne Cardiovascular Surgery.

Memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, and Eastway Baptist Church, 2749 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208.

Online condolences may be made to www.mcewenfs.com.