Dr. Jimmy Ray Hager departed this life to enter the greater life on March 16, 2005.

Jim was born in Hewett, W.Va. on Nov. 10, 1930. His early education was in a two-room schoolhouse. Upon completion of high school and prior to going away to college, he worked in the coal-mines for one year.

After attending West Virginia University, he went to the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, graduating in 1957.

After a two-year period in the U. S. Navy, he entered the private practice of general dentistry in Zuni, where he continued for 36 years.

He was devoted to church, family and community, having served on the Vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Suffolk and serving as usher at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Great Bridge, Chesapeake.

He was a strong supporter of public schools having served on the Isle of Wight school board for 12 years, and 10 years as chairman. He was a life member of the American Dental Association, active in the Portsmouth/ Suffolk Dental Study Club and a Fellow of the Virginia Dental Association.

After retiring from his dental practice, he worked with Habitat for Humanity and gave generously of his time to the Isle of Wight Christian Outreach and the Virginian Donated Dental Services, providing dental services gratis for the elderly and indigent.

Jim was a man of great integrity and compassion with a wonderful sense of humor. He was admired and respected by all who knew him, especially in the way he dealt with his recent illness.

He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Katie Rippey Hager; son, James Scott Hager; daughters and sons-in-law, Beth Hager Swartz and Tim Swartz, Mary Catherine Hager and Paul Leberg; grandchildren, Catherine Leberg and Samuel Leberg; and an aunt, Maxine Hager.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2005 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church followed by a reception in the parish hall.

A graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m. in Holly Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory, Suffolk.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 1224, Franklin, Va., 23851 or to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 233 Mann Drive, Chesapeake, Va. 23322. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.