
I met Hilton in 1986 when I went to work at TxDOT. He always impressed me as a real gentleman and was the kindest, most thoughtful coworker and supervisor that I ever knew. He was very wise and taught us all by example. His priorities were clear; he valued his "bride" and family above all. A true nature lover, I remember him telling me about his bird-watching outings. I wish Pat and his family comfort and, for Hilton, I wish connection with the Source of All Life ... and multitudes of beautiful birds to fly with.



My family sends our sincere sympathies to all of Hilton's family.  We have many fond memories of our time on Warren St. back in the 80's.  It was nice to have you all as neighbors, and a great baby-sitting source as well! 

I have never ridden the Cumbres-Toltec Railroad, but look forward to the day I do, and will remember Hilton at every turn!

Love to you all,

Bob, Bobby, Patrick, and Rosemary Mullins 



I offer my greetings, love, and sadness and recalling many happy memories
of times past.  Am pained deeply with information that Hilton died. Here are my prayers and reminders of the tenderness of God's love to you and to all of us.  Sorry to have missed the funeral service..

Bob 
Breihan



Just the other day as I drove down Exposition I told myself I need to call Hilton and see how things are,,,,so many times I put these calls off and then regret it,,,I have been friends with Pat and Hilton since the Garland days and our children were similar in ages, grew up playing with one another etc.  I will always remember Hilton's kindness, smile and voice,  I offer my sympathy to Pat and the children.  I miss my lunches with Pat also.    God Bless you all.   Connie Tande



Pat, my prayers are with you and the family.  We had a lot of fun working at TxDOT.  I'm glad I got to visit with Hilton at the Christmas gathering last year.  I was sick this past Christmas and couldn't make it.  There a only a few of us old-timers left.  Take care, and God Bless.  Mike Talley  -30-



Met your Dad when I served  on the Lay Board with your Mom at St. Austin's Church.   In 1995, he and your Mom waited with me at Asumption Cemetery till I had  finished  saying my good byes. Their act of caring, holds a special  place in my heart.  One evening during the Christmas holidays, about 3 years ago,  I had  he and your Mom over for a visit.  As we visited about our shared lives, a spark flew out of my fire place.  We were so busy visiting, we did not notice the carpet had a burnt  place till after the fact.  We laughed, as one more time, we acknowledged our fun times together.



Pat, although we haven't stayed in touch since TXDOT years, I think of you and Hilton often and of his stories and your wonderful laugh.  You were one of our favorite couples and Dick Roberts thought so much of Hilton. He often repeated Hilton's tales and their  adventures with the various vehicles and shared rides to work.  Among the many Hilton phrases Dick quoted was "How can this be?"  I still use it almost every day!  He was a dear man and we both were so lucky to have known our "newspaper guys." 
             The "30" at obit's end was a nice touch!  Thinking of you dear girl, and sending much love,  Jan 



I'm so sorry to hear of Hilton's passing. He was the heart and soul of our little unit of writers at the Highway Department - and one of the finest wordsmiths I've ever met. As everyone has mentioned, he had a great love of life, and was full of entertaining (and true!) stories. 

His nickname at TxDOT was Hilto, which he got from his days of setting hot type (with those little metal letters) at an old-time newspaper. As he related it, the 'Ns' were worn out and fell off, which left him with the byline of Hilto Haga. The letters may have fallen off, but the name stuck, and he was forever known as Hilto to his fellow writers.

We all worked hard at TxDOT, but had fun, too, to break the stress of constant rushed deadlines. When we had a 'Fifties' dress-up day, the rest of us wore T-shirts, jeans & poodle skirts. Hilto came in his old Army uniform - "This is what I wore in the Fifties!"

Hilto loved his family - we heard often about his 'Bride,' Pat, and the joy he felt in his marriage. We knew about the kids, the grandkids, and the many trips in the Merry Miler.  Hilto loved birding, and could tell us which birds were found in various parts of the state. In later years, he landed a temporary job walking the trails in a state park to help keep tabs in the birds. As he said, it was the perfect gig - he got paid to walk around all day looking at birds, and lost some excess pounds from the exercise. 

What a decent, good, honest, witty and gifted man you were. I miss you! 

Keep the rest of the Angels entertained, Hilto, and we will all join you one day. Save a few of the best ones for us, please? 



My grandmother told me this story and recently when I was spending time with my dad I asked him if he remembered it.  We talked about it too and I asked him if I could share it...He said of course I could.

Dad was in ROTC in high school so, when he graduated he was headed to Korea.  Of course, my grandparents were filled with sadness and worry as he shipped out.  When he got off the ship in Korea, he got the news that his dad had passed away.  He actually had to turn around, get back on the ship to come home, and bury his dad.  When his two weeks leave was up and it was time for him to return to Korea his mom was distraught.  Daddy told her he wanted her to pick herself up, go back to Sunday school, and either get a job or do volunteer work.  He wanted her to get up every day and get dressed and the next time he saw her he wanted her to be wearing a red dress.  He told her he would be back.  

When he arrived home in Dallas it was about 8 o'clock at night.  My grandmother had just gotten out of the bath.  She heard Dad whistling and walking down the driveway.  The first thing she saw that was red was a robe.  She put it on and ran down the driveway to welcome him home.  And so, at his service my family and I will wear red to peacefully and lovingly welcome him home for the last time.  



I had the joy of working with Hilton at the highway department back in the 80s, and what a great joy it was: His humor, his grace, and his knowledge of journalism gave so many of us younger ones in the profession a wonderful pattern for our own careers. And his stories -- oh those wonderful stories -- about working for the Dallas ( "Daliss") papers and of peering out the 7th floor window of the Highway Building across the way to the penthouse above the KTBC studios, were priceless! During those years, we had a variety of supervisors, directors, managers, and other agency-appointed leaders in that division, but Hilton was the unofficial Dean, and he was the one we always went to when we wanted the final word. It's such an appropriate picture you have posted here; it captures him so well. And it brings a big smile: I can see him about to lean down, dig his toe into the ground, and then start into one of his great hilarious stories, getting tickled half-way through and breaking into his wonderful laugh.  



Uncle Hilton always had smile on his face.  It was almost like he knew the punch line of a joke that someone else was telling.  As a young child, he always seemed to be such a "large" character, but as I got older he just seemed to always have a good word and strong hug every time I saw him.  He will be missed!



Popa (or Big Popa as Alyssa calls him) was the most incredible storyteller.  How can one tell the perfect story about the man who used words so beautifully?  I remember Popa playing the kazoo at a Hagan/Harper Reunion.  I remember Popa with dog-eared and highlighted bird books and binoculars.  I remember Popa being really good with a yo-yo.  I remember hiking to Boot Hill at Big Bend with Pop.  I also remember on that same hike he drank the juice out of the vienna sausage can...blech!  I remember him tinkering, building, and creating.  Popa was an amazing artist.  I stayed with him at some point almost every summer.  He took me to Ballet Austin to take summer classes every day and to TCBY on Fridays.  He came to every dance recital.  Popa was our tour guide in Chama, NM.  I remember Popa coming to meet his greatgrandchildren.  He was so proud and he loved them so much.  Popa is love.



"Papa" was the best father-in-law any girl could ask for.  He treated me like a daughter and I love him like a daddy.  He was such a storyteller!  I'll never forget the first time I met him -- Bobby and I had been dating a short time, and we were over at the TEKE house and (naturally) his car was dead so Pop came over to help jump start or tow it or something.  We're waiting out on the lawn near the street and up drives Pop in one of his unique RV's - the Merry Miler I think.  The door opens and out tumbles Pop (and various and sundry other items as the Miler was packed to the brim) dressed in his mechanics jeans and undershirt (probably fresh from working on one of his other kids' cars) and (of course) suspenders, with his dog Harold on a frayed rope leash - "Well howdy there!"  I'm thinking I'm in an episode of the  the Beverly Hillbillies.  Well not only did he not scare me off, I married his son just a few years later.  Thanks Pop for welcoming me into your family and for all the years of love and laughter.  I will miss you so much and look forward to seeing you in heaven and hearing lots more of your wonderful stories!


OBITUARY

Hilton H. Hagan

March 19, 1929 – August 17, 2011

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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