Fred Jerald “Jerry” Hager, 86, passed away on January 7, 2026, surrounded by his family.
He was born on November 19, 1939, in Cleveland, North Carolina, to the late Fred Simon Hager
and Margarette Frances Long Hager.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister Frances Parks of Cleveland,
NC, sister Nancy Blankenship and her husband Arthur Blankenship of Cleveland, NC and brother
Richard Hager of Jenkinsville, SC.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Virginia “Jennie” Hager of Rock Hill, South Carolina; his sons,
Fred M. Hager of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Hampton Hager of Edgemoor, South Carolina;
his loving daughter-in law Christi V. Hager of Edgemoor, SC, and his granddaughters, Martha
Hager and Miriam Hager of Edgemoor, SC. His brother, Michael Hager (Liza) of Raleigh NC and
brother Dennis Hager of Marydel, MD. Additionally, he is survived by two brothers-in-law, LA
Parks of Cleveland, NC and Steve Dellinger of Greenville, SC and many nieces and nephews.
He grew up on the family farm in Cleveland, NC with a happy family, raising livestock and
growing cotton and other agricultural products. He graduated from Cool Springs High School in
1958 and Gaston College in 1960 with an associate’s degree in civil engineering. He worked for
the North Carolina Department of Transportation until he married his 8 th grade sweetheart on
February 24, 1961, at the Abilene Church of Christ in Statesville, NC. After the wedding, they
moved to Rock Hill, SC and he worked for Williams Engineering as a survey crew chief until
enlisting in the US Army. Upon completing his military service, which included overseas duty in
Iran, he returned to Rock Hill and passed his state licensing for Surveying and Mapping. He was
the owner of Hager Surveying & Mapping from 1966 until he finally gave it up in his early 70’s.
He was a member of Charlotte Ave. Church of Christ. He was known for his understanding of
God’s word and led may people to the gospel of Christ. Additionally, he was an accomplished
farmer. He loved toiling in the fields and growing vegetables, propagating hostas, and grafting
and growing Japanese maples.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Charlotte
Avenue Church of Christ, 339 Charlotte Avenue, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730. The family will
receive visitors prior to the service in the church lobby from 9am – 10:30 am.
The family asks that all memorials be made to the David R. Pharr Scholarship fund through
Charlotte Ave. Church of Christ.
Condolences may be made online at greenefuneralhome.net.