Cecil Hagy

Cecil Hagy was a genuinely authentic person who modeled a lifetime of hard work and sincere compassion for others. A loving and supportive husband and father, he wanted nothing more than to spend time with his loved ones. Cecil’s sincere kindness and loyal friendship will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The 1950s were known as the decade of the baby boomers. Proud parents Carl and Dora (McFarland) Hagy welcomed home their newborn son, Cecil, on October 12, 1951, in Butler County, Missouri. Born the tenth of twelve children, he was an important asset to their family during an exciting time in our nation’s history.

Growing up on a farm, Cecil learned the value of hard day’s work at an early age. He and his siblings had plenty of chores to keep them busy, tending to the animals and the crops. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was only five years old. His father was a Southern Baptist minister and raised the family with a strict set of guidelines with a focus on saving resources. Cecil grew accustomed to going barefoot in the summer months to save the wear and tear on his shoes, as well as wearing hand-me-downs. After completing high school and entering the world of work for a couple of years, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1971 to 1974. After he was discharged, he and his two brothers and two sisters relocated to Michigan in search of good-paying jobs. When his sisters passed, he returned to Missouri for a short time before returning to Michigan.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of Janet Adams, the woman who would steal his heart forever! She was out playing pool at a local bar in town, and Cecil put down a quarter to play her, and the rest was history! Later, he joined a group at Janet’s house to play cards. The two of them had an instant connection. When he was bowling in a local league, Janet would come to watch and give him a kiss for every strike! Needless to say, he had a good season that year! The happy couple joined in marriage on May 19, 1984, at Bethel Reformed Church. Cecil was proud to take her back to his hometown in Missouri for their honeymoon to introduce her to his family. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Dale and Audra.

As a family, they built many beautiful and lasting memories. They especially loved camping at The Grand Rogue Campground on the Grand River. They also took several trips back to Missouri to visit family. He and Janet found a good blend of discipline and leniency for their kids. They knew when to be strict and when to ease up and let them find their way independently. The whole family loved animals. They had many pets through the years. Most recently, a dog named Daisy and several cats. As a family, they were close and enjoyed their time together. His children never doubted his love for them.

A hard worker and strong provider, Cecil worked for several years with a bottle-making company. Handy, as well as a quick learner, he became quite adept at fixing the machines. Thus securing him a reputation that earned him a shift change to the first shift, leaving the dreaded third shift days behind. When that company transferred out of Michigan, he found work at Falcon Foam, where he spent several years. Sadly, in 2000, he suffered an injury with long-term consequences. Though his injury kept him from returning to work, he kept himself busy. Cecil had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and tending to his flower beds. He had more than 1,000 daylilies in his yard, his favorite flower. He joined the Grand Valley Daylily society and loved helping the society members. He also loved to read and watch horror shows, especially Stephen King and Dean Koontz. He would sometimes go to work with Janet and use his knack for numbers to help her balance the accounts right to the last cent without a calculator! He even helped with filing and other paperwork. They made a great team, and joining her at work kept his mind active throughout the years.

He lived a good life despite his setbacks, and he always kept a positive outlook on life. Despite receiving dialysis three days a week, Cecil was always thankful. He especially expressed his gratitude for the tender care provided by his lovely wife, Janet, who took exceptional care of him. The last couple of years were difficult with medical issues, yet their love for one another and their kids was the strength that kept them going. Reliable, trustworthy, and thoughtful, without a doubt, Cecil will be deeply missed. May his loved ones honor his life by sharing his compassionate nature with every person they come across in the years to come. Cecil felt blessed by the life he lived and would want nothing more than the very best for all those he leaves behind.

Cecil Ray Hagy, age 73, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on June 16, 2025. Cecil is survived by his wife, Janet; his daughter, Audra; brother, Vernon Hagy; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Patricia (Hank) Oosterhouse, James Adams, Paula Davidson, and Eugene (Kathe) Veltema; and many nieces and nephews, including Joe Hagy and his daughters Kristen and Theresa.

Cecil was preceded in death by his son, Dale, in 2008; his in-laws, June and Bernie Buikema; and ten of his eleven siblings: Archie Hagy, Marshel Hagy, Edith Hagy, Carrol Hagy, Annabelle Borders, Oliver Hagy, Paul Hagy, Harold Hagy, Alicy Williamson, and Alta Denney. No service is being planned.