J. W. Hager

James Wesley “Jim” Hager, 94, of Amarillo passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020.

Jim was born in Dallas, Texas to Harold and Angeline Hager on December 23, 1925. The Hager’s soon moved to Fort Worth where he grew up.

After high school Jim went to engineering school at the University of Texas at Arlington and then went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone where he eventually became the District Engineer.

It was, however, on his first assignment with the phone company that he met Betha Lou Fowler. Six weeks later they were married and began a journey that would last 72 years.

In 1986 Jim and Betha retired to their favorite place of Creede, Colorado. Their retirement years were happily filled with jeeping, snowmobiling and fly fishing. He was also actively involved with search and rescue for Wolf Creek.

A God fearing man whose actions spoke louder than words. Jim spent eleven years with the Home Mission Board serving as a missionary and a church planter. Jim and Betha returned to Texas in 2006.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Angeline Hager; his sister, Marjorie (Hager) Brannon; his brother-in-laws, Walter Dean Brannon and Richard Fowler; two sons, Randy Hager and Robin Hager who died in infancy.

He is survived by his wife, Betha Lou Hager; a daughter-in-law, Lucille Hager; his son, Rick Hager and wife Denelle; a daughter, Renee (Hager) Cheshire; his grandchildren, Travis Hager, Wes Hager, Trudi (Hager) Everson and husband Phil, Dennis Hager, LeaAnn (Hager) Fowler and husband Mike, Cody Hager, Chelsea Cheshire, Lala (Cheshire) Adams and husband Chad; ten great-grandchildren and four nieces.