ARTHUR ERNEST HAGEMAN JR.

Funeral services for Arthur Ernest Hageman Jr., 90, will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Douglas High School Auditorium in Douglas, Wyoming with Pastor Tim Ricker of the Frontier Baptist Church in Douglas officiating and military honors accorded by Wyoming Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors and Sanuel Mares American Legion Post #8.  Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Lusk Cemetery in Lusk, Wyoming.  Attendees of the funeral service should park in the back parking lot of the high school, there will be signs out directing you into the building.

Art passed on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming with his loving family at his bedside.

Arthur Ernest Hageman was born on Thursday, August 17, 1933 in rural Converse County, Wyoming the son of Mabel Doris (Sanford) and Arthur Ernest Hageman Sr. He attended school at the Walker Creek Schoolhouse and graduated from Douglas High School in 1951. Upon graduation he worked briefly doing road construction, then for the U.S. Government mapping the Bob Marshall Wilderness, an experience he spoke fondly of all of his life. He was drafted into the United States Army, serving for two years during the Korean War. In 1959 he married Linda Gail Thomas of Fort Laramie, Wyoming. They had three children, Teresa, Mike, and Ray. Art worked a variety of jobs including as a lineman for Mountain Bell Telephone, delivering milk for Douglas Dairy, as a yardman at Douglas Livestock Exchange, and in the oilfield north of Douglas. Through this time, he steadily built a herd of cattle, his true passion, and switched to raising cattle full time. One of his experiences he treasured most was as an activity driver for students at Douglas High School for 17 years. He drove students across all of Wyoming for various activities, and also drove them to activities out of state. He would often remark that he drove close to million miles over the duration. He was especially touched whenever a former student would stop and visit with him in public.

His compassion for animals was a part of his gentle nature, taking in animals others had abandoned, making them treasured pets for his kids, teaching them to care for them, and giving even the sickest of them a chance. He loved every one of God's creatures, a reflection of his own upbringing and passing that gift to his family.

He loved spending time with people, and his teasing nature always meant you could count on a good story, joke or a witty one-liner, many of these based on his years of various experiences growing up in the post-depression years and the many years that followed. He wrote many of these down in one of his pocket notebooks, one of which was always in his pocket. His children, grandchildren, and great grandkids often heard many of these jokes, and one part of his legacy is that they will be told forever.

Of course, his special love in life was Linda, who rode shotgun with him over 65 years of countless good times, a few tough times, the Wyoming winters, and the quiet, but special summer evenings looking at their cattle, sharing a six-pack and talking about whatever came to mind. She was there for him in his last days, tenderly rubbing his hands and giving him the gentleness, he needed.

He was always appreciative of the numerous friends who spent countless hours helping him and Linda work their cattle, taking time from their own busy lives on weekends or after a quick call, to help brand, trail, or sort cows. Their help will always be remembered and provided more than a few stories Art would tell over and over. His life will be remembered fondly by those who knew him, and many of them will have a favorite story to tell as well. He truly lived a full life, one of humor, grace, and compassion.

Art is survived by his wife, Linda, of Douglas; children, Teresa J. (Robert) Kelley of Carpenter, Wyoming, Michael L. Hageman (Jennifer Eller) of Douglas, and Ray A. (Cheryl) Hageman of Cheyenne, Wyoming; siblings, James Hageman of Douglas and Doris (Dick) Rohrer of Casper, Wyoming; grandchildren, Trista Dawn (Jerry) Chrachol, Mikee Falon (Scott) Hoffman, and Samuel Arthur Hageman; and great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Addison Chrachol and Hudson and Millie.

He was preceded in death by his father, Art, on January 21, 1974; mother, Mabel, on August 22, 1989; and siblings, William Hageman, Norma Burrell, Lorraine Broyels, and Joanne Herrod.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Sanford, Jake Johnson, Chuck Headley, Mike Gibson, Clint Becker, and Roger Powell.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all of the students Art drove to various school activities and his many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Douglas High School Athletic Department, 615 Hamilton Street, Douglas, Wyoming 82633 or to Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8, P.O. Box 1, Douglas, Wyoming 82633 would be appreciated by the family.    

The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

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