Lawson James Hager Jr., former director of Hardin-Simmons University’s Cowboy Band and dean of the HSU School of Music and Fine Arts, died Nov. 19. He was 78. He was born July 10, 1944, in Stamford to L.J. “Mutt” and Zelda (Skiles) Hager. After graduating from Abernathy High School in 1962, he enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University to play French horn in the Cowboy Band. He received his bachelor degree in 1967. At HSU, he met and fell in love with Jane Dennis, whom he married in August 1967. Hager served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 and was a quartermaster officer in Vietnam. He received his Master of Music-French Horn in 1971 from North Texas State University. Hager returned to HSU to became the third director of bands, including the Cowboy Band. In 1982, he became assistant professor of brass and music theory. In 2002, he accepted the position of dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts, from which he retired in 2011. As busy as he was at school, he spent many years coaching his daughters’ softball teams, attending concerts, helping with home repairs, building fences, teaching a few music lessons, watching grandsons play football and baseball, and seeing some granddaughters dance and others play soccer, volleyball and basketball. He attended his three daughters’ graduations from high school and college, gave all three daughters away in marriage, was at the hospital for the birth of all his grandchildren, and saw five grandchildren graduate from high school and one graduate from college with her bachelor and master degrees. He was a deacon at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, where he served on several committees and enjoyed Friday lunches with the men of his Sunday school department. He also took pride in his yard work and once earned the Yard of the Month from the Abilene Garden Club. He was preceded in death by his sister, Rebekah Ann Hager Poindexter, and one granddaughter, Faith Davis Soben. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jane Dennis Hager; daughter Heather Baker and husband Cory; daughter Emily Clancy and husband Patrick; daughter Holly Soben and husband Wes; nine grandchildren; and sister Yvonne Joyce Hager Satterfield. A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The service will be streamed through the Livestream tab on the funeral home website.
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