Silas 'Si' P. Hagler, 88

Silas "Si" P. Hagler IV, SMSGT USAF RET, 88, passed away on Oct. 2, 2014, at Hospice House of Coeur d'Alene after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Si was born in 1926 in Berkeley, Calif., to Silas Hagler, III and Marie Cooper Hagler, and had one sibling, Marjorie.

He enlisted in the then-Army Air Force in 1943 and became an Air Force aviation cadet. In 1945, he was on the flight line when Japan surrendered in WWII. He was employed in the Merchant Marines as a wiper, fireman and assistant electrician. During this time he traveled to Canada, England, New York, Philippines (Cebu and Romblon), Manila, Hawaii, Ireland and San Francisco. In 1950, his military service became a lifelong Air Force career that he truly enjoyed and was proud to serve. His assignments sent him to Texas, Florida, England, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan, Iowa, Mississippi, Minnesota, Vietnam, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Greece and Alaska. His appointed duties during his military service consisted of ground radio communications supervisor and superintendent, working with remote controlled target drones for B-29/50 gunners, the Air Defense Sector and Programmed Communications Supply Documentation.

Si retired in Anchorage, Alaska, as a senior master sergeant in July 1974. His military service decorations consist of a Bronze Star, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation w/2 Oak Leafs, National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Star, Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/3 Oak Leafs, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Medal w/Oak Leaf, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Stars, Republic Vietnam Commendation Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award w/4 Bronze Oak Leafs, Air Force Sergeant Academy Exemplary Medal, WWII American Theater Medal and WWII Service Medal.

After his Air Force retirement, Si worked for Providence Hospital in Anchorage. He was also a field service engineer for the State of Alaska and provided maintenance, equipment repair and as a consultant for the outlying hospitals and clinics. He retired from Providence Hospital in 1985.

Si then lived on his sailboat Mystic, in Bainbridge Island, Wash., and gave sailing lessons, became ASA certified and traveled some of the states. He mastered everything he was interested in: amateur radio, photography, pencil, oil sticks and water color art, cross-country skiing, tennis, bowling and golf.

In 1960, Si received his first-grade black belt of the Nippon Kododon Judo and opened his own Judo studio in Sioux City, Iowa.

He gained and maintained many friends, men and women alike. He would say his best friend was his dog, Nugget, who passed in 1985.

In 2012, Si moved to Coeur d'Alene to be closer to family where he continued to make happy memories and friends with his charm and great sense of humor. He truly was loved and will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his son, David Hagler; parents, Silas and Marie Hagler III; sister Marjorie Elam and nephew, Gary Elam.

Si is survived by his three daughters: Margene Roark, Karen Custer (Linden), and Lorry Hagler-Deming (Todd); grandchildren Jill Serbousek, Jeromy Angerman, Paul Roark and Sudipta Custer; great-grandchildren Sierrah, Gavyn, Drake and Amarah Angerman, Hailey, Douglas and Aryana Roark; niece Pam Geisel, and nephew Bruce Elam.

A celebration of life with military honors is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Unity Spiritual Center, 4465 N. 15th, Coeur d'Alene, with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID., 83835.

English Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Si's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.