Claude Thomas Hagerty

Claude Thomas Hagerty is now absent from his body and present with the LORD. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is being held in his honor on January 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Broadway Theatre in Malin, Oregon.

He was born to Bud and Evlyn Hagerty on August 24, 1944 at Klamath Valley Hospital in Klamath Falls, Oregon and lived basically all his life on a family farm outside Malin.

He was fifteen years old when his father passed and since Claude was an only child, the responsibility of caring for and supporting his widowed mother as well as himself fell hard on him. Fred Pope, a neighbor and a very good farmer, took Claude under his wing to mentor him as he learned how to raise potatoes, grain and alfalfa. That fact made First National Bank take the risk of loaning money for farming to Claude and his mother. Claude’s high school principal allowed him to only take the mandatory classes for graduation so he could spend time in the fields planting, growing and harvesting crops. Claude succeeded and became well known as a good farmer himself. He eventually added cattle to the operation.

A part time job he held and enjoyed during his high school years was working for Vac and Hazel Kalina at the Malin Roller Skating Rink. He attached clamp-on skates to the bottom of children’s shoes. He picked the same children up off the floor and consoled them when they fell. He admonished them not to skate too fast or be rambunctious. He met Marilyn Duncan at that Skating Rink. (She was the daughter of Kenneth and Evelyn Duncan who owned The Homestead Market in Newell, California. Claude was known to drive all the way to Newell after school to buy a package of gum periodically.

On June 28, 1968, Claude and Marilyn were married in the Baptist Church at Newell. They spent their life together at Hagerty Farms outside Malin. They raised and nurtured three children: Jason, Marlise and Patrick as well as supporting Claude’s Mother until she passed in 1996.

Claude also pastored the Malin Baptist Church from 1983 until the Covid-19 epidemic caught up to him and his wife, forcing them to stay home and recover. Their sons began to teach and pastor the church at that time. He was thankful that the messages became available by video because of Covid. Parkinson’s Disease took a toll on Claude’s life also. He suffered through many falls and much weakness and was often too weak to physically attend church. He was glad and thankful that he could watch and listen at home on his own phone or TV screen.

Another large portion of Claude Hagerty’s life was spent serving the Shasta View Irrigation District. He was an extraordinary problem solver and was the chairman of the board for many years.

He lived, loved, laughed with his family and so many friends. He didn’t get mad very often, but the water issues regarding irrigation of property in the Klamath Basin took him to Washington D.C. to fight for our rights more than once.

He was a true born-again believer in Christ Jesus the LORD, the best husband and father anyone could ask for, grandfather and great grandfather as well. His family and friends will miss him dearly.

Klamath Hospice came to his aid on September 19, 2024 and they were wonderful support for Claude all the way through his transition passing
in the early morning of December 10, 2024. His family will always be grateful for the help they all received from these fine people.

Claude is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his children: son Jason and Carrie Hagerty, daughter Marlise and Rob Flanagan, son Patrick and Danielle Hagerty and former daughter-in-law, Nikki and Scott McKay. His grandchildren and their families are: Thomas and Rebecca Hagerty with great grandson Michael Kenneth, Troy and Paige Flanagan, Jonathan and Sheridan Hagerty with great granddaughter Elora Rose, McKay and Grace Flanagan, Jacob Flanagan, Issac and Kiki Hagerty with great granddaughter Havyn Mae, Isaiah and Emma Flanagan, Hailey Hagerty and last but not least, Tobias Hagerty (in order of their birth).

If someone would like to make a donation honoring Claude’s life, please do so at Basin Youth for Christ, P.O. Box 557 Malin, OR 97632 or at Malin Baptist Church, P.O. Box 426 Malin, OR 97632.

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