Keith Hagadus

My beloved brother, Keith, died following a long illness, which began April 8th. You fought bravely and painfully, but it finally just became too much for you. I was at your side when you breathed your last and my heart broke beyond repair.

You lived with me for 6 years, following the laryngectomy surgery for stage IV laryngeal cancer. You were only 49 when you had that drastic surgery, due to smoking. You used to tell me you wished you could tell the teenagers "Don't do what I did." I am saying it for you now and hoping we encourage at least one person to put those cigarettes down and walk away - fast.

We lived in the beautiful Hill Country in the small town of Medina. We never got tired of driving around and looking at the wonderful scenes and watching the wildlife. We rode in my little red Scion XD, which you named 'Ruby.'

Keith was a gentle soul and very kind. In his youth, he was an excellent swimmer and won many trophies/ribbons and medals. He enjoyed reading and subscribed to Architectural Digest and multiple fancy car magazines, along with the Smithsonian Institute and National Geographic. I used to buy the newspaper and bring it home to you and you always thanked me. Your good manners never wavered.

We were born in Frankfurt, Germany and adopted by two wonderful people and always considered ourselves very lucky. Our father was in three wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam. We spent four years stationed in Panama Canal Zone, which we dearly loved. We used to venture into the jungle often and one day Keith even stepped on a snake and we ran out of there very quickly!

Keith was preceded in death by our father, Raymond Hagadus, of Orlando, FL., our sister, Donna McCall of Junction, TX and his niece (my only child), Amber Fisher, of San Antonio, TX.
Keith is survived by our mother, Hazel Klein, of Orlando, FL, Aunt Ruth of MN, various cousins and me, Pam Fisher of Medina, TX.

I would like to thank the various nurses and therapists and physicians, who helped Keith these last six years. I am still reeling from losing him and having a hard time believing they couldn't save him one more time...

Keith, I will love and miss you forever.

Your devoted sister, Pam.

If interested, you may send a donation in his memory to: The American Lung Association
http://www.lung.org/donate/

Arrangements were under the direction of the professionals of Kerrville Funeral Home. (830) 895-5111

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