Alumni Obituary – Earl Jack Haggard

Pastor Earl Jack Haggard, CC’94, of Cawker City, Kansas, and formerly of Russell, Kansas, entered into his eternal reward on  Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the University of Kansas Health System Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.

Earl was born on February 09, 1954, in Abilene, Kansas, the son of Cliff Youngblood “Jack” and Delores May (Rager) Haggard.  The family moved to Texas and Earl lived there until he was in the 6^th grade then moved back to Abilene.  He finished his schooling at Abilene High School in the class of 1972.  He met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Paula Miles on December 16, 1977, in Huntington, Indiana.  From this union Earl and Paula were blessed with a daughter Hannah.  Early in life, he was called into full time Christian Ministry. Through his affiliation with the United Brethren Church, and the United Methodist Church, he served churches in Colby, Abilene, Gypsum, Kipp, Russell Otterbein, Bunker Hill, Independence, Cawker City and Glen Elder Kansas. He also served in Junction City Ohio. He enjoyed researching genealogy, reading, watching crime TV, spending time with his friends and family and was a fanatical Dallas Cowboys fan.

The surviving family includes his wife Paula, daughter Hannah and dog Archibald Oscar all of the home.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dean Haggard, special aunt Bertie Boaz, who helped raise him, and his beloved dog Brutus Alexander.

A celebration of Pastor Earl’s life was held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas.  Later that day, a graveside service was held at the Abilene City Cemetery in Abilene, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be given to the Russell Food Pantry and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is responsible for funeral service arrangements.