HOAGLAND, Petit Eugene (Pete)

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ >>> Published on Saturday, December 31, 2016 <<< Petit (Pete) Eugene Hoagland, 78, left this life Dec. 22, 2016 after a yearlong battle with cancer and lung disease. Born to Ned Bezel Hoagland and Eliza Ellen Wood Hoagland in Indianapolis, Ind., the seventh of nine children. He enjoyed saying that his birth date on Jan. 2, 1934 was unique, that it was 1,2,3,4. It brought a chuckle to most. Moving to Springfield, Ohio when he was quite young, Pete attended Springfield schools. Friends he made as a young boy remained close and in frequent contact throughout the years. When he was 17, he joined the Air Force and spent much of his service time in Germany, an experience that he treasured. After discharge, Pete moved to Chambersburg, Pa. and found work learning computer programming, a profession that he continued until retirement. In 1963 he and his second wife, Kay Besore, moved to California for a warmer climate where he worked and resided. In 1994, they retired to Lake Havasu with their grandson, Ryan Lounsbury. In 2005 after a lengthy illness, Kay passed away. Pete traveled over much of the U.S. during the next few years. In 2009 he met Betty Crippin, the lady who became his companion for the rest of his life. They enjoyed traveling, attending local clubs where he loved performing karaoke, and playing dominoes with friends. Pete is survived by his son Joseph, daughter Valerie, grandson Ryan and great-grandson Landon, sister Jackie (Roy) Litteral and brother Sam (Sharon) Hoagland and numerous nephews and nieces. A celebration of life will be at a later date. Donations can be made to Lake Havasu Hospice in his honor.