Oscar Lee Hagen

After a life of serving God and family,O. Lee Hagen was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 27, 2024. His final moments with family were spent peacefully at Whatcom Hospice House. He was 93.

Oscar Lee Hagen, born at home on April 9, 1931, in Millbury, Massachusetts, the second child of Oscar William and Gwendolen (Somers) Hagen.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia (Murphy) Hagen, the love of his life! They met in the Fall of 1955 at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL and were married on June 16, 1956. Together, they raised six children: Timothy (Brenda) Hagen, Scott (Carol) Hagen, Catherine Hagen, Christine (Patrick) Gahman, Derek (Kim) Hagen, and Cheryl (Bill) Hall. Lee is survived by his six children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. It all started with “I do!” And they did! He is also survived by his sisters Marilyn Petrie and Gayle Hatch.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Gwen Hagen, his sister Carol Hagen, and brother Albert Hagen.

The call to serve God as missionaries took them to many places and adventures! Wisconsin, Florida, New York, Washington, Montana, and Alaska, where they lived for 44 years (1969-2013.) Lee served as maintenance man at Alaska Village Missions in Homer, AK.

In 1974 Lee began working for Terminal Oil Sales delivering fuel to the homesteads and fishing boats in the Kenai Peninsula (approximately 150-mile radius). Fran Moore, a close family friend used to say, “Lee kept all the women in our area warm…”He continued driving fuel truck for 31 years, retiring October 2005 at the age of 74.

His love of driving took a toll on him physically. Continually dragging the large fuel hose on and off the fuel truck wore out both of his hips, requiring hip replacements. Shortly after his first hip replacement, he had a stroke, requiring several months of recovery.

In August 2013 Lee & Pat moved to Lynden, WA to be nearer to family. This provided him with many opportunities to go for drives exploring the area, along with going out for coffee, breakfasts and dinners.

Lee loved his Coke Zero, Westerns (John Wayne was his favorite), and puzzles! The largest puzzle he put together was 2,000 pieces and barely fit on the dining room table. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors who would join him on the front porch, watching the action happening in his neighborhood.

His deteriorating health required 24/7 care required him to transition to a nursing home for the last 18 months of his life. The Hagen family wishes to thank all those who helped us and Lee in the months leading up to his passing. Your support and friendship has meant the world to us!

A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday,July 27, 2025. All the siblings and their families were able to attend, which was no small feat as they came from South Carolina, Washington, Michigan, California, Oregon, Ohio, Mississippi and Alaska!

What a joy it is, for us as a family, to know that Lee has left this world with all his physical pain and worn-out body and has a brand-new body celebrating in heaven with his Lord and Savior (and possibly a Coke Zero!) Someday we will be together with him! God is so good!!