Stephen Burgess Hager

Stephen "Steve" Burgess Hager, 74, of Statesville, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, September 16, 2017 following a courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Steve was born in Alexander County, NC on April 19, 1943 to parents Raymond Glenn Hager and Mary Lou Dagenhart Hager. He grew up in Troutman, NC, which he referred to as the greatest place in the world to grow up, and graduated from Troutman High School with the Class of 1962. On April 28, 1962, he married the love of his life, Gloria Bumgarner Hager. Steve was an employee of International Paper Container Division in Statesville for 49 years, missing only 2 days of work during that time. After a weekend of retirement, he went to work for MSI Defense Solutions in Mooresville, NC. This would have marked his 49th year as a member of Campbell Lodge 374, Troutman where he was a Past Master. He lived his life according to the moral duties of Masonry. He became a member of the Scottish Rite in Charlotte, NC. Steve was a Veteran Member of Oasis Shriners in Charlotte, NC for his more than 30 years of loyal service, and was Captain of the Oasis Temple Drum & Bugle Corps from 1996-1998. He has been a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Statesville for over 45 years. An avid car enthusiast, Steve loved showing his award-winning 55 Chevy Bel Air. Steve is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gloria, and their children, son Kirk and Sherry (Blevins) Hager of Statesville, NC and daughter Jennifer and David Holden of Davidson, NC. He was the proud "Pop" of Caleb, Rebecca and Abigail Hager and Maryn and Halen Holden. Steve was blessed with a loving family and cherished his lifelong friends. He loved being a son, husband, dad, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend. Steve will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Glenn and Mary Lou Hager, and his granddaughter, Dagen Ruth Holden. The family will visit with friends and loved ones on Tuesday, September 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home located at 135 E. Front Street, Statesville, NC. A service honoring his life will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church at 740 N. Center Street, Statesville, NC followed by Masonic graveside rites at Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Nelson, Jeff Petrovs, Chuck Duncan, Brent Rogers, Rev. Brian Sipes, and Clyde Marlowe. Honorary Pallbearers will be Masons and Oasis Drum and Bugle Corp. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Steve Hager to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children at 950 West Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605, Attn: Donations or St. John's Lutheran Church at 740 N. Center Street, Statesville, NC 28677. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all their family, friends, Dr. Sam Stout, and the Staff of Hospice of Iredell County. With their love and support he died with as much dignity as he lived his life. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Hager family. Online condolences can be made at www.nicholsonfunerals.com.