In Loving Memory of Jerry Raymond Hagman: Claudell, Kansas Mourns the Loss of a Beloved Farmer, Father, and Community Pillar
Claudell, Kansas, bids farewell to one of its most cherished residents, Jerry Raymond Hagman, who passed away at the age of 84 on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Surrounded by family and love, Jerry peacefully joined his beloved wife, Melba, on what would have been her first birthday in heaven—a reunion as poetic as the love they shared for decades.
Born on April 13, 1941, in Portis, Kansas, Jerry was the son of Raymond and Bernadine “Bunny” Hagman. He grew up on the family farm just north of Claudell alongside his sister, Linda Hagman Myers. From an early age, Jerry exhibited a blend of hard work, mechanical ingenuity, and a penchant for rural mischief that would become hallmarks of his character.
Jerry graduated from Kensington High School, where he was known for his athleticism, sharp wit, and playful spirit. Lifelong friend Sherry Newbrey fondly recalled the time Jerry waxed the bottom of a girl’s chair, causing her to topple over—with desk and all—only to triumphantly recover her lost science book. Water gun fights in biology class were a daily occurrence, and late-night drives down Claudell roads with friends like Jim Schalansky gave Jerry a taste for adventure that never dulled.
Always moving at full throttle, Jerry’s energetic nature translated into a love of racing around the square in Kirwin and spontaneous drag races down Main Street in Kensington. His passion for speed and mechanics followed him throughout life, especially in his love for sprint car racing—a pastime shared with his parents, wife Melba, daughter Tamra, and son-in-law Kent, attending races across WaKeeney, Red Cloud, Belleville, and Stockton.
After graduating from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1964, Jerry married the love of his life, Melba Kay Larrick, on December 22, 1963, in Ashland, Kansas. They eventually settled in Kirwin, where Jerry joined his father in running the family farm, a proud legacy that earned the Century Farm designation from the Kansas Farm Bureau in 2016—recognizing the farm’s operation since 1916 across three generations.
In addition to farming, Jerry ran a successful business, Hagman Repair, and earned a reputation as the go-to “Shade Tree Mechanic” for his mechanical talent and dependable service. He gave back to the community by serving as Treasurer of the Kensington Fire Department Board and being an active member of the Kensington Lions Club.
Summers were for water skiing, where Jerry’s passion for the lake and his daring spirit were on full display. His brother-in-law Dale Walker and family often joined him—whether skiing with ice still on the lake or racing storms to enjoy that perfectly calm water. Andee Walker Black, his sister-in-law, remembers a day the group barely got the boat out before a tornado hit. Jerry’s love for family and a good laugh was always present, even when he claimed he was “too scared to answer the phone” in case the Walker family needed help moving—again.
One of Jerry’s greatest joys was dancing with Melba. Whether disco dancing in matching outfits or cranking up the radio in the kitchen to The Beach Boys or Elvis, Jerry loved to dance as much as he loved to laugh. Their favorite song, “More than a Woman” by The Bee Gees, was a perfect reflection of their timeless love story.
Stubborn and spirited, Jerry once insisted on joining the wheat harvest despite lacking transportation. He simply fired up his Vintage M International Tractor and raced the combine to the field—just one of many legendary stories that shaped the family’s collective memory.
Jerry’s daughters, Kayla and Tamra, were central to his life. He shared his mechanical know-how with Kayla while they built a T-Bucket together and passed on his love for racing to her and Ken. Tamra was always cheering on Jerry’s mischief, and the pair shared an unmatched bond of humor and heart. He loved nothing more than wheat harvest with Tamra and his granddaughter Darah, who eagerly joined him in the combine, grinning and zig-zagging through golden fields shouting, “How am I doing, Gpa?”
As a father-in-law, Jerry was the kind every family hopes for. Taylar Bohl, who married Darah, shared a moving tribute:
“He was so much more than a grandfather-in-law. After losing my father young, Jerry became a father figure, a mentor, and one of my best friends. He treated me like a son and taught me the soul of farming—not just the work, but the love behind it. I got to live the dream of working beside him.”
Jerry’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and unwavering dedication to family and community. He is survived by his daughters, Kayla and Tamra; granddaughter, Darah; and many other family members and friends who will cherish his memory.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at a later date, where stories will be shared, laughter will echo, and the community will come together to honor a man who touched so many lives.
Rest in peace, Jerry. Your legacy lives on in the hearts of those you loved and the community you so deeply enriched.