Tony Eugene Hagler

Tony was a native of Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School. After graduation, he studied graphic arts at the Art Institute of Atlanta. He then began his career in the printing industry, working for Basset Printing, in Columbus. Tony went to work for Columbus Productions, a well-known printing company, which became a division of TSYS, where he spent most of his career, advancing to become the Plant Production Manager. He diligently continued his career path for more than 30 years. He was proud to be a significant part of the printing industry, and he excelled at it. Tony had a strong work ethic and was recognized repeatedly for his outstanding contributions to his profession. In his later years, he pursued a rewarding position as Quality Inspector for Pratt Whitney, where he thrived during the last years of his life.

Tony was an avid outdoorsman, but his true passion was bass fishing. He enjoyed traveling around the Southern lakes competing in fishing tournaments. This is where he really shined, often coming in first or second place and receiving countless awards over the years. Tony had a love for kids and a soft heart for animals. He was a lifelong member of the Georgia-Alabama Bass Club and helped host the community’s Annual Bass Rodeo Tournament. They donated life vests to all the local children and raised funds to send them to Camp Joy every year.

Friends and family remember him as a hard-working, humble, fun-loving, likable guy who always enjoyed helping others.“Everyone loved Tony.” He had a kind-hearted, gentle spirit and collected many lifelong friends with his upbeat charisma and magnetic personality. He genuinely cared about people and was known to be a friendly, down- to-earth, happy-go-lucky fella.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sara Nell Hagler and Thomas Eugene Hagler, of Columbus, Georgia. He is survived by his brother Tyron Shane Hagler, of Columbus, Georgia, former wife and caregiver Alison Hagler of Columbus, Georgia, uncle Wayne McGilvray of Louisville, Alabama, uncle James Hagler of Louisville, Alabama, close cousin Viviann Payne of Snellville, Georgia, close cousin Tommy Benefield

of Fortson, Georgia and many more special cousins, family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Paws Humane Society, Columbus, Georgia or Camp Smile-a-Mile, which supports children with cancer (smileamile.com) on Lake Martin, Alabama.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 pm, February 21, 2024, in the Empire Room at the downtown Columbus Marriott, 800 Front Avenue. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.