Obituary for Ronald Lee Haggard
Ronald Lee Haggard, 84, best known as “Coach” or “Hag”, of Republic, MO peacefully passed away from natural causes on February 2, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Hag was born on August 19, 1938 to Robert and Ruby Haggard in Kansas City, MO.
Hag was a graduate of Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO. He served in the Marine Corp from 1956-1960. After serving in the Corp he attended William Jewell College where he completed his bachelor’s in Physical Education and Foreign Language. During those four years he accumulated many athletic accolades and was later inducted into the William Jewell Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Jewell, Hag was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. It was the first year the Chiefs were located in Kansas City and Jewell was the team’s summer home. Hag played in one preseason game in San Diego against the Chargers.
Aside from athletics, Hag taught and coached at various schools in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. He began his school administrative career in El Dorado Springs, MO in the early 80’s and went on to serve as an administrator in Cape Girardeau, MO, Theodosia, MO, Seymour, MO, and Cuba, MO where he retired in 2001.
In 1979, Hag met Diane at Mr. Steak, the restaurant she managed in St. Charles, IL where some of his students were part of a work program. They married in 1980 and moved to Missouri, where they resided until his death.
Hag had a passion for working with students and athletes. He held the philosophy that no matter your walk of life, you can do anything you set your mind to, so you should dream big. This was drawn from his own childhood growing up in inner Kansas City with profoundly deaf parents. He had a big heart and impacted many throughout the years.
Outside of education, Hag had a love for the great outdoors. Skiing, fishing, river rafting, canoeing, lake life, taking his Jeep down the road less traveled or sitting around the camp fire. He didn’t have to have a destination, it was about the journey.
He is survived by his wife Diane Haggard and children, John Haggard, Kelly Rinker, Stacey Harper, Candi Fuelts, and Sandy Embretson and their spouses, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Ruby Haggard and his son Mike Cain.
Hag requested there be no formal service but instead a celebration of his life where we remember his “dance”, tell stories, laugh and say cheers to him and the many memories we will carry with us forever.
A Graveside Service consisting of Full Military Honors will take place at 2:00pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road in Springfield, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers we ask that you take a moment to hug your spouse, child, grandchild, friends, or walk in the woods for a moment, an hour or a day.
Hag was a graduate of Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO. He served in the Marine Corp from 1956-1960. After serving in the Corp he attended William Jewell College where he completed his bachelor’s in Physical Education and Foreign Language. During those four years he accumulated many athletic accolades and was later inducted into the William Jewell Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Jewell, Hag was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. It was the first year the Chiefs were located in Kansas City and Jewell was the team’s summer home. Hag played in one preseason game in San Diego against the Chargers.
Aside from athletics, Hag taught and coached at various schools in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. He began his school administrative career in El Dorado Springs, MO in the early 80’s and went on to serve as an administrator in Cape Girardeau, MO, Theodosia, MO, Seymour, MO, and Cuba, MO where he retired in 2001.
In 1979, Hag met Diane at Mr. Steak, the restaurant she managed in St. Charles, IL where some of his students were part of a work program. They married in 1980 and moved to Missouri, where they resided until his death.
Hag had a passion for working with students and athletes. He held the philosophy that no matter your walk of life, you can do anything you set your mind to, so you should dream big. This was drawn from his own childhood growing up in inner Kansas City with profoundly deaf parents. He had a big heart and impacted many throughout the years.
Outside of education, Hag had a love for the great outdoors. Skiing, fishing, river rafting, canoeing, lake life, taking his Jeep down the road less traveled or sitting around the camp fire. He didn’t have to have a destination, it was about the journey.
He is survived by his wife Diane Haggard and children, John Haggard, Kelly Rinker, Stacey Harper, Candi Fuelts, and Sandy Embretson and their spouses, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Ruby Haggard and his son Mike Cain.
Hag requested there be no formal service but instead a celebration of his life where we remember his “dance”, tell stories, laugh and say cheers to him and the many memories we will carry with us forever.
A Graveside Service consisting of Full Military Honors will take place at 2:00pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road in Springfield, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers we ask that you take a moment to hug your spouse, child, grandchild, friends, or walk in the woods for a moment, an hour or a day.