John Haagensen

John Thomas Haagensen, 76, passed away peacefully January 13, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.  Although it was difficult for him to leave this life and those he loved, for all his adult life he had looked forward to the day he could be with his Lord and Savior and all those who had gone before him.  He now rests in arms of eternal love and those of us left behind look forward to seeing him again when we can be united again in Heaven.

John was born February 18, 1945, in Montgomery, Alabama, in the waning days of World War II, the firstborn of Lester and Elva Joe Haagensen.  His early travels took him to Idaho and Montana before settling in California for most of his formative years.  Following high school he enlisted in the USAF, serving four years in Okinowa as an intelligence analyst for the NSA.  Upon returning to civilian life, he met and married the love of his life, Karen Turner, who was his faithful and loving companion for 52 years.  Together they raised a daughter (Kirsten) and son (David), settling in Odessa, San Angelo, and Benbrook.  They enjoyed a life filled with adventure, travel, trials, and challenges.  John earned a degree from CSU Sonoma while serving as a youth minister and a children’s home houseparent.  He later worked more than 20 years in environmental protection for the State of Texas, before entering a second career as co-owner (with Karen) of Kaleidoscope Estate Sales.

John was a sweet, gentle soul, characterized by his quiet strength, wisdom, patience, courteous demeanor, and amazing sense of humor.  He was always the first to listen and last to speak, but his words and wit carried the weight of his careful thought.  He was a loyal husband, father, friend, and neighbor who generously devoted time to his family, his faith and those who came into his orbit.  He was solid and disciplined, and did not worry, waiver or complain.  He was approachable and had a servant’s heart.  He loved trains, traveling, Sudoku, Schnauzer dogs, his supper club friends, and a glass of Sangria in the back yard.

John is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Peggy.  He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Kirsten and husband, Trey Hodge; son, David; brother, Patrick; and grandchildren, Orion, Trustin, and Sadie.

Funeral services: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Southside Church of Christ, 2101 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76110. Visitation:  1:15 to 2:00 p.m. prior to his service at the church.  Burial will be scheduled later at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Rust Street Ministries, 803 Rust Street, San Angelo, Texas 76903 (ruststreetministries.org), Southside Church of Christ Children’s Ministry (sscofc.org), or the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org).