Eric Charles Hagelberg

Eric Charles Hagelberg, 66, of Texarkana, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025, at the Waterton Plaza surrounded by his family. Since Eric lived a majority of his life in Southern California, two Celebration of Life services will take place - the first on April 26, 2025 at 11 a.m. in Texarkana, TX at his home church, Cross Pointe Baptist Church; the second on May 18, 2025 at 2 p.m. in Chino, CA at his home golf course, El Prado.

Born in Pomona, CA, on February 5, 1959, Eric loved his family & friends, and was active with sports, music, cars & boats. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor’s in Business, and continued onto the University of La Verne and earned a Master’s in Business Administration. The jobs he enjoyed the most were working with his hands at both the Feed Store in San Dimas and the Lumber Yard in Chino, and he also briefly co-owned a construction business with his brother-in-law David Hawkins. The majority of his career was spent in the business departments at various aerospace companies - predominantly at General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins. Throughout his career he always cared about the people he worked with, known for a gentle soul & silly sense of humor, and was thoughtfully intentional with everyone he came in contact with.

Eric is predeceased by parents, Allen Charles Hagelberg & Delores Rae (McGuinn) Hagelberg, youngest sister Cathleen Stronach, niece Michelle Rief, and great-nephew Austin Rief. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Tammy Hagelberg, daughter Lindsey & son-in-law Karl Talmo, daughter Kelly & son-in-law Marc Magana, sister Lynne & brother-in-law Mark Rief, sister Karen & brother-in-law Dave Hawkins, in-laws Angie & JP Benefiel, and Mark Treadaway; Uncle Lloyd “Mac” McGuinn, Aunt Billie Taylor; 11 cousins: Dave (Barbara), Anne (Jack), Jane (Jeff), Mary, Marla, Gus (Susa), Darin, Shelly, Brett, Lisa, John; 7 nephews: Brian (Heather), Carl (Amanda), Scott, Ethan (Olivia), Tyler (Anna), Jake (Brooke), Sam; 8 nieces: Megan (Dan), Erica, Laurie (Matthew), Emily (Dexter), Sarah (Andrew), Leah (Logan), Brooke (Ryan), Jill (Nathan); 15 great-nieces & nephews.

Eric will be remembered for his love of being on the lake, of golf, and of music - whether blaring or whistling his favorite classic 70’s Rock music or playing guitar & singing in the worship praise band at church. He loved being a ‘big kid’ with his daughters, nieces, nephews, family friend’s kids - teaching many to swim and supporting them often at sports games or music recitals. We will miss his listening ear, his calming nature, his thoughtful notes/ calls/ emails he sent to friends & coworkers, his inspiring discipline to stay spiritually fit and physically fit every day, and most importantly his devotion to his faith in God. Even when the darkness of early on-set Alzheimer’s took hold of Eric, his family & friends were thankful that the more challenging symptoms were relatively short-lived, and we were able to share many moments of joy and his silliness together in the final chapter. He will be dearly missed, but we have faith we’ll see him again soon on the other side of eternity with our Heavenly Father. Eric’s legacy of “Trust in Him” [God] will live on through many.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations to be made to either the Alzheimer's Association, the American Red Cross (he was an active blood donor), or a non-profit local charity of your choice (as he served and volunteered whenever possible).