John B. Hagler

John Blair Hagler, age 90, passed away on Saturday evening, July 2, 2022 at Sunrise of Raleigh. Born on April 24, 1932 in Glendale, California; he was the son of the late Ottis Hagler and Louise Agee Hagler.

John and Willa Dean Freeman joined Tabernacle Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, in 1961 where they met and would later marry in 1963. John served in the Army Special Forces, then worked for the N.C. Parole Board, and later with Southeastern Electronics in shipping and receiving. One of his proudest moments was being the first recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, presented by then Governor Terry Sanford. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Raleigh for 62 years, serving as a Deacon.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years: Willa Dean Freeman Hagler; by his daughter: Kathy Hagler Richards and husband Rev. Johnny Richards of Raleigh; son: John Arthur Hagler, of Dumfries, VA; grandchildren: Heidi Richards Peach (Alex) of Durham, England; Nathan Richards (Annabel) of Chelmsford, England; Caitlin Richards of Greenville, NC; Christopher Richards of Raleigh, NC; Reece Hagler of Alexandria, VA; and Grant Hagler of Alexandria, VA.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 1-2 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home. Funeral Services, officiated by his son-in-law, Rev. Johnny Richards, will be held at 2 pm in the funeral home chapel, with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed.

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