Brent Hager
d. December 8, 2017
Gregory Brent Hager, age 59, passed away December 8, 2017.
He was born in Augusta, Georgia on December 21, 1957. He grew up listening to the Beatles, always finding words of wisdom in the music around him. Though he helped his dad on Christmas tree lots as a boy, he got his first real job at Soda Straw at the age of 14. Eventually, he worked his way up to being a bartender, then manager, at Studebaker’s where he met his future wife, Kim. Brent spent his career managing restaurants from coast to coast, eventually landing back in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he has lived and worked for the last 20 years. His all-time favorite job was managing The Pacific Club in Minneapolis where he met many celebrities like Prince. Brent was great with people and even better with food. He made a mess when he cooked, but it was well worth it. He could whip up the most amazing blue cheese dressing in ten seconds flat, make the world’s best fettuccine alfredo with only 3 ingredients, and never discriminated against Squeeze Cheese in a bottle. Brent had an incredible sense of humor, always reminding us to take life a little less seriously. He was artistic in all ways of life, from the expressive art he painted to the silver jewelry he crafted by hand. He LOVED the family cabin. He spent lots of time at his fishing spot, not catching much fish, but always feeding pistachios to Chip—the local chipmunk.
Brent is survived by his two daughters, Bonnie and Lexi Hager; brother, Noel Hager; sister, Renee Claffy; and mother, Dru Hager. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Hager. Brent wished to have his life celebrated at the cabin in the Pecos mountains, in the fall when the aspens turn. He would want everyone to enjoy without being sad. If you knew Brent you knew what the cabin meant to him.
He wants a party, so if you are interested, please email your name to brentcelebration@gmail.com where further details will be provided later in 2018. Feel free to share any fun memories you have of Brent, so his sense of humor can live on through us all. Born four days before Christmas, Brent always believed the lights were for him. So as you pass by the lights tonight, think of Brent and believe, just as he did, that the lights are all for him this Christmas.