Thomas William Hagan

Thomas William Hagan Thomas William Hagan, 90, a former Cox newspaper editor and a Pulitzer Prize winner, died January 23 in Austin. After graduating from the University of Texas at age 19, he began his distinguished career in Dallas in 1933 as a reporter for the Dallas Morning News. Later that year he moved to Miami and was employed in various editorial capacities with Cox Newspapers’ Miami Daily News. In 1939 Mr. Hagan was awarded the Pulitzer Prize with others for meritorious public service for the newspaper’s editorial campaign. Mr. Hagan transferred to Washington, D.C., as correspondent for the Dayton (OH) Daily News in 1941, then moved back to Miami in 1946 as the Miami Daily News’ chief editorial writer. Mr. Hagan was editor of the Miami Daily News from 1951-1957. He returned to Washington in 1957 as Cox Newspapers’ bureau chief. Mr. Hagan was employed by the federal government from 1961-1978. A member of the White House Press Corps during the Kennedy Administration, he also worked in emergency planning with the former Federal Preparedness Agency (now the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Mr. Hagan and his wife retired to Austin in 1979. Mr. Hagan was born August 18, 1913 in Dallas to Michael Edward and Margaret Mahoney Hagan. He attended Southern Methodist University from 1929-31 and in 1933 graduated cum laude from the University of Texas with a Bachelor in Journalism. He was night editor of the Daily Texan. Mr. Hagan won a scholarship to the American Press Institute at Columbia University in 1947, and prizes for editorial writing from the Florida Association Dailies in 1949 and 1951. He was a member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, National Conference of Editorial Writers, and International Press Institute. He was also director and president of the Historical Association of Southern Florida, founder of the Miami Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, treasurer of the Florida Society of Editors, White House Correspondent, president of the Montgomery County (MD) Historical Society, and member of Sigma Delta Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon. Mr. Hagan married his wife of more than 61 years, Virginia Moody of Dallas, at Saint Matthews Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on August 24, 1942. Survivors include his wife; son Michael Garland Hagan of Keller and wife Maureen; daughter Virginia Margaret Hagan of Springfield, VA; daughter Elizabeth Hagan Drews of Austin and husband Jack; and grandchildren Michael Christopher, Jeanne, Thomas and James Hagan and Matthew and Katherine Drews. Mr. Hagan’s son, Thomas William, Jr., and his sister Mary Margaret and brother Vincent preceded him in death. His brothers Edward and Jack live in Dallas. Mr. Hagan was a wonderful person, a devoted husband and loving father who will be greatly missed. He was a devout Catholic who cherished his Irish heritage. An expert in public affairs, he loved history and traveled worldwide, both professionally and with his wife after retirement. A rosary service followed by visitation will be at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar, at 7 pm Monday. The funeral will be at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, at 10 am Tuesday. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Hagan’s name to St. Louis Catholic Church. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com