Col. James Donald Hagan

Col. James Donald Hagan, 54, passed away peacefully with his devoted wife at his side at Stein Hospice Sandusky on Jan. 23, 2021. Col. Hagan was a decorated veteran who served in the United States Army Reserves for over 30 years. He fought a courageous battle against injuries and conditions related to his service and combat-related activities. James, known as Donald, was born in Bardstown, Kentucky to Rose Bernadette (Clark) Hagan and James Chester Hagan. In 1997 he married Diane Andrews Hagan and they moved to Norwalk to raise their family. He was a loving father to William (Sami) Schlett, Candace (Foy) Fuller, and Kathryn, Elizabeth, Samantha, and Emily Hagan, and grandfather to Tyson James and Morgan. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by sister Tammy (Bobby) Shain, and brothers Derrick (Tia) Hagan, Devin (Bridget) Hagan and nieces and nephews; Lucas Shain, Chad (Chelsea) Taylor, Kristin (Tyler) Wenger, Grant and Neal Ringerwole, and Abigail, Addison, Annalise, Tyler and Ethan Hagan. He is also survived by his in-laws, Bob (Peg) Andrews, Deb (Chuck) Taylor, Denise (Dale) Ringerwole, and Jeff Andrews. Aside from his family, Donald's greatest devotion was to the military. Donald joined the United States Army Reserves in 1988 as an ROTC student at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned degrees in criminal justice from the University of Louisville, accounting from the University of Cincinnati, and an MBA from Columbia Southern University. During his years in the military, Col. Hagan served in multiple deployments including, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism. His military honors include Afghanistan Campaign medal with Campaign Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, three Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, six Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, six Overseas Service Ribbons, three Armed Forces Reserve Medals, NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge. Donald was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Rose Bernadette (Clark) Hagan. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, a private memorial will be held at that time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.