Murray J. Hagen

On April 12, 2012, Murray James Hagen drifted peacefully from this world at his residence in Spring Hill, Florida. He was born on September 2, 1917 in Ubly, Michigan to Robert J. Hagen & Ann Elizabeth (Murray) Hagen. He married his high school sweetheart, Genevie Erma (Bowron) Hagen, on September 14, 1940. She preceded him in death, nearly 55 years later on January 21, 1995. Also preceding him in death were 3 siblings, Kathleen Schuler, Gertrude Hurford, and Robert J. Hagen. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law Richard and Barbara Enlow, Marietta, GA and Jerild and Joyce Flint, Hudson, FL, grandson and wife, Brian and Kristen Enlow, and brother, Merrill (Hank) Hagen in Caro, MI. Nieces and Nephews: Janet Murphy, Lynn Hurford, Michael Hagen, David Hagen, Patrick Hagen, Gerard Hagen, Angus Hagen, Karen Meshew and Eljay Bryce Bowron. Murray retired as manager of the Huron County Road Commission in December 1979, where he had worked since 1946. On the day of his retirement, he was presented with a small canister of blacktop, still warm from paving the final mile of county road. He left a legacy of paved roads and county parks featuring modern bath houses and sandy shores. Murray began working at the Hubbard State Bank while still in high school and continued until he was 23 when he was drafted in WWII. He served in the Army and AF with the 29th Statistical Control Unit at Headquarters Pacific Air Command in Tokyo until his honorable discharge on November 2, 1946. He was actively involved in the community throughout his life. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Ubly, serving for 45 years as clerk of session, Sunday School Superintendant., and sang in the choir. He served on the Ubly Community School Board, was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, and served on the Huron Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, including as president of the board at the time the new hospital was built, a result of the merger between Bad Axe General and Hubbard Memorial Hospital. A gifted musician, he played the guitar, violin, banjo, drums, piano and organ, playing in several dance bands around the area for several years. He was actively involved with Ubly’s Alabama Jubilee in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, playing drums and banjo. Upon retirement, Murray and Genevie moved to Mesa Arizona where he remained until 2000 when he moved to Florida. During the 20 years that he spent in Arizona, Murray was actively involved in his church and as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 7 at the First Presbyterian Church, Ubly, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be contributed to First Presbyterian Church of Ubly.