Lester "Tate" Hager

Lester Lee “Tate” Hager was born March 15, 1928, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was the son of James Harve and Rose Etta (Caldwell) Hager. Tate was the fifth born of eight children growing up in Cleveland, Oklahoma. On February 5, 1946, Tate enlisted in the United States Navy. After completing two years with the military, Tate returned to Cleveland and later graduated with the Class of 1949. During his time in high school Tate was an integral part of the Cleveland Tiger High School football team. Hager and the crew on the offensive line paved the way for Billy “Curly” Vessels to ascend to stardom at the University of Oklahoma and eventually lay claim to the 1952, Heisman Trophy. Hager was an all-district and All-State honorable mention tackle in 1948, on a CHS team that was deemed one of the best in the state. At the time, area sports writers said Cleveland had the most talented offensive line. The Cleveland boys blocked for halfback Vessels and the rest of the star backfield – QB Curtis Bockman, halfback Bob Paterson and fullback Jack Lucas – during the Tigers’ famed days of the Split-T offense. In the 1948 season, Hager was joined on the line by Charles Hagberg, John Cowan, Gene Ross, Dave Billington and Harold Harbeston. The Tigers were state-title contenders in ’46 and ’48 and those remain two of the most celebrated teams in program history. Hager played every position but quarterback. According to him, Coach Lyle Berryhill told him at a scrimmage once, “This is a full-speed practice! Play like you’re in a game!” So Hager tackled Vessels, full-speed ahead, fracturing the star’s arm. Hager played halfback for Vessels for the next two games.

On January 19, 1949, Tate was united in marriage to Bessie McWaters and to that union there is one daughter Pam. In the 1950’s, Tate worked in Kansas, as well as, rodeoing, working different jobs around the Cleveland area, and for Kerr McGee. In the 1960’s, Tate started working on the Great Alaskan Pipeline. He became frustrated with the time spent away from his family, came home and with his brother Joe started their own business General Construction. On September 30, 1964, Tate was united in marriage to Shirley Nimerick in Miami, Oklahoma; to this union there are three children Justin, Jason and Hollie. Tate worked hard providing for his family. He remained active working daily up until about six years ago.
Tate loved to spend time outdoors; especially at his home or helping his sons on their property or having his sons help him on his property. Tate spent many hours on his tractor and making things in his shop. He loved hunting, listening to country music, singing and going to Happy Hour with Hollie. In the early 1970’s, there were numerous rodeos held right there at his home. Over the years Tate enjoyed horses, bird dogs, coon dogs and border collies. During the 80’s, while his children were growing up Tate would donate his time and equipment to work on the baseball and football fields in town. He enjoyed watching football, softball and wrestling. He really enjoyed watching his grandson J.R. wrestle over the years. Tate also enjoyed watching his grandkids in all of their sporting and school activities. In 2001, Tate enjoyed the best vacation of his life; going to the Calgary Stampede with his wife and son, Jason.
Tate and Billy Vessels were lifelong friends, with much admiration coming from Hager. He was present at the re-dedication of the old stadium in Vessels’ honor in 2003, and he passed along Vessels’ Cleveland legacy to every ear he could bend. Hager was a fine Christian man, active in church and the community, and he maintained support for school sports, including the football and wrestling programs, until his death. In 2005, Tate was invited to the Heisman unveiling ceremony for Billy Vessels in Norman. Justin drove Tate and Gene Ross to the university campus where he had an evening to remember meeting Bob Stoops, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White and Barry Switzer.
Tate passed from this life on Monday, January 26, 2015 at the age of 86 years in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Survivors are his two sons, Justin and his wife Lisa Hager of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Jason and his wife Rhonda Hager of Owasso, Oklahoma; two daughters Pam Hager of Carson City, Nevada, Hollie and her husband Jeff Snyder of Cleveland, Oklahoma; one brother Kenneth Hager of Tulsa, Oklahoma, one sister Marinell Trimble of Cleveland, Oklahoma, granddaughter, Leslie Caldwell; five grandsons, Michael Crandell, J. R. Hager, Matt Hager, Will Snyder, Zach Snyder; one great granddaughter, Jayci Kaye Caldwell; step-granddaughter, Ashley Blum; step-grandson, Brandon Compton; numerous nieces, nephews as well as other friends and relatives that mourn his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley, three sisters Trudy Kelsey, Betty Plummer, Elinore Petersen, two brothers Joe Hager, Glenn Hager and half-brother Leon Hager.

Church services will be held 10:00 am Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Church of Christ in Cleveland, Oklahoma with Doug Dingley officiating. Burial will follow at the Blackburn Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Tate and Shirley Hager memorial fund at the Citizens Bank. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com.