Philip E. Hagan, Sr., 92, of Patrick Springs, Virginia received his final set of orders on September 10, 2020, at the Durham VA Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 63 years, Dorothy E. (Murray) Hagan.
Born in Roanoke, he was the seventh child of the late Harry James Hagan, Sr. and India Cole (Welborn) Hagan. He was a 1950 graduate of Hardin Reynolds Memorial High School in Critz, VA.
Philip led a full life, he served more than 22 years in the US Marine Corps retiring with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant; worked in Civil Service while living in Jacksonville, NC; honored as an Auctioneer by Reidsville, NC, Jaycees for 10 years of contributions to the Annual Harvest Auction; Deacon at Grants Creek Church; cited with serving with “Distinction and Dedication” in the Virginia Defense Force, 3rd Battalion 1st Brigade retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; actively participated in collecting for Marine Corps “Toys for Tots”; recognized by Patrick County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for his dedicated service and accomplishments as an associate director to Patrick SWCD.
He was proud of following his ancestors, who served in the American Revolution (Joseph Varner, 3rd Great Grandfather; William Harris, 4th Great Grandfather; Moses Harris, Sr., 5th Great Grandfather, etc.) and in the Civil War (Great Grandfather, Edmund T. Ackerman), in fighting for his country. Philip’s active military campaigns included WWII, Korean War and Vietnam; receiving World War II Medal, Good Conduct Award, National Service Defense Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit commendation, Meritorious Mast, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/date bar.
While in the Virginia Defense Force, Philip initiated the naming of Marine Corps League Detachment #908 of Martinsville, VA, “Edward W. Richardson”, honoring the memory of his mother-in-law’s brother, Edward Wallace Richardson, USMC, who died in the service of his country at Saipan Island, Marianas Islands in WWII.
He had numerous hobbies including Auctioneering, raising blueberries, rabbits, Christmas trees, coaching softball while stationed in Puerto Rico for 3 years with his family, reading, jewelry making and woodworking.
He is survived by his three children and son-in-law; son, Philip E. Hagan, Jr. of Miramar, FL; daughters, Martha Judalon “Judy” (Hagan) Poirier and her husband for over 40 years, Gerald Scott Poirier of Norwich, CT; Lisa Anne Hagan of Mebane, NC; Grandson, Paxton Pachara Hagan who shared his grandfather’s love of trains and chocolate; and blessed with great friends – Tim and Lisa Corns, and Lt. Col. W.C. Fowlkes; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Waiting for him on the other side, along with his wife and parents, were his sisters, Orpha Virginia Hagan of Gainsville, FL, Mina Lou Hagan and Elizabeth Hagan both of Roanoke, VA, Lelia Ione (Hagan) Hauss of Salisbury, NC, Majanah Leonora (Hagan) Bender of El Paso, TX, and brother, Harry James Hagan, Jr., Staff Sgt. US Army of Roanoke, VA.; maternal Grandparents, Henry Jasper and Virginia “Jennie” Burwell (Trent) Welborn; paternal Grandparents, Rollin J. Cook and Orpha J. (Ackerman) Hagan Crow; and step-Grandfathers John (Heggenstaller) Hagan and Raymond James Crowe.
There are no words to truly communicate the family’s gratitude to the incredible doctors, nurses and patient aides at the Salem VA Hospital and Durham VA Hospital who honored his service to this great country and felt it was a privilege to care for Philip in his final days. Their respectful and compassionate care for him will not be forgotten.
