Ronald Leo Hagman, 89

Aug. 11, 1934 — July 13, 2024

Ronald Leo Hagman passed away peacefully with his loving wife of 70 years by his side July 13, 2024, at Coeur d Alene Life Care Center, one month short of his 90th birthday. Born on Aug. 11, 1934, in Kellogg, Idaho, Ron was the beloved youngest son of Julius and Myrtle Hagman.

Raised in Kingston, Idaho, Ron graduated from Kingston High School in 1952. In his early years, he worked alongside his father and older brother Louie, logging in the Idaho forests. Inspired by an advertisement on a box of matches, Ron pursued a passion for the developing field of electronics and TV repair at DeVry School in Chicago.

Shortly after High School Graduation, Ron moved to Chicago to attend DeVry, where he studied electronics and supported himself by repairing TVs. After graduating, he joined the Army in September 1954. Ron returned briefly to Kellogg, Idaho, to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Gayle Lemich, on Dec. 24, 1954. The newlyweds then moved to Queens, N.Y., where Ron was stationed at Fort Hamilton and later at the Army Pictorial Center in Long Island City. There, he produced Army training videos and worked on the Honest John Missile project. During their time in New York, Ron and Gayle welcomed their first child, Rona Jo.

Following his honorable discharge, Ron and his family settled in Renton, Wash. He began his career at Boeing while completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington as an electronics engineer. He worked extensively with the development and application of laser technology at Boeing Scientific Research Labs. While pursuing his master's degree in electronic engineering at the University of Washington, the UW also employed him in their pursuit of developing laser interferometry for earthquake and related seismic measuring devices. He returned to the Boeing Scientific Research Labs, where he and his team invented and patented several laser systems.

Ron and Gayle expanded their family with three more children: Greg, Eric and Davin. Ron and Gayle built their family home in Maple Valley Heights, where he became a pillar of the community. He coached Little League teams, led the construction of a multifaceted field for baseball, and served as president of the local chapter of Boys Baseball and Maple Valley Athletic Association. 

A passionate outdoorsman, Ron cherished spending time with his family hunting, fishing and camping. After retiring from Boeing in 1994, he and Gayle traveled frequently to Jamaica and Florida, creating lasting memories with friends.

In 2004, Ron and Gayle returned to their roots in Idaho, purchasing a home in the Silver Valley on the golf course in Pinehurst. Ron spent his retirement years enjoying golf and the tranquility of Idaho. In 2022, they moved to North Star Retirement Community in Coeur d'Alene, where Ron spent his final months.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Myrtle Hagman, his daughter, Rona Jo Hagman-Hammond, and his elder brother, Louie Hagman. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Mary Gayle; his children Greg (Alison), Eric, and Davin (Janice); and his grandchildren Juli, Jami, Lindsey, Byron, Ashley, Austin, Erica, Michelle, Mark and Kevin, as well as great-grandchildren.

Ron’s legacy is one of love, dedication and service. He will be deeply missed. 

Family and friends are invited to attend a local celebration of life Saturday, Aug. 10, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Northstar Retirement Center, 2340 W. Seltice Way, Cd'A, ID 83814.

Following the Internment at Tahoma National Cemetery Kent, Wash., a (westside) celebration of life, Black Diamond Eagle's Club will follow (date TBD).

Please view and sign Ron's online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.