Dr. Darrell Gene Hagar died peacefully in his Timonium, Maryland home on Thursday, October 15th, 2026, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Kathy Hagar, his three children and their spouses, Erin Hagar and Paul Smith, Amy and Joseph Avampato, and Benjamin and Merritt Hagar, and his four grandchildren, Hannah Smith, Gordon Smith, Mara Avampato, and Evie Sofia. Darrell is also survived by his sister Donna Lassiter, his niece, Tabitha Haynes, his nephew Richard Lassiter, cousin Bill Davis, and in-laws Carrie Teagan and Henry and Kiw Ja Morris.

Born January 4th, 1945 in Winters, Texas, Darrell lived a life of unlikely possibility. While his parents, A.G. and Esther Hagar, ended their schooling early out of financial necessity, Darrell not only went to college but earned his Ph.D. in English literature and rhetoric from Texas Christian University. After growing up in the West Texas desert, he made his life surrounded by Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, learning to sail and becoming an expert in the American art of waterfowl decoy carving. Defying all medical odds, Darrell survived septic shock in 2008, and was able to spend the next 18 years enjoying the company of his family, friends, and the vast waterfowl decoy community of the Eastern Shore and the Susquehanna River area.

Darrell began his academic career at Salisbury University in 1974, directing what became the university’s Writing Center and developmental studies program. He served as both Dean of graduate and continuing education and as a Professor of English, where he taught a wide range of courses, including the Bible as literature, literature and censorship, satire, short story and poetry. He retired in 2008.

Outside of the University, Darrell served on the Board of Directors of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art from 2002-2006, chairing that body for two years. He was an active member of many decoy groups, learning from and lending his expertise to this community of folk art enthusiasts. With his wife Kathy, Darrell opened a framing business which they operated for many years in their hometown of Delmar, Delaware. He was a member of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, where he also managed the church’s two cemeteries. He enjoyed reading, boating, and gardening.

His wife Kathy will hold dear the memory of their many adventures together. His children will fondly remember going crabbing on the Nanticoke River, watching thunderstorms from the front porch, and sailing on the Choptank River. Darrell’s curiosity, storytelling ability, and wry sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the care teams at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and Gilchrist Hospice Services. 

A party in honor of Darrell’s life and inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date. 

Please share online condolences with the family by signing his guestbook through www.peacefulalternatives.com.