Merl L. Gager

Merl Lynn Gager passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at his home on the family farm near Plainville, Kansas at the age of 79. He was born August 27, 1934 to Ira and Alice (Hoops) Gager in Stockton, Kansas. Merl graduated from Woodston High School. In February of 1954 he joined the United States Army and was honorably discharged in February of 1956. He then went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Fort Hays State College. On February 2, 1985, Merl was united in marriage to Donna Harding at the family farm. In his early years, Merl worked in Nebraska, California, and Nevada as a Dam Inspector for the Bureau of Reclamation before moving back to Kansas to work the farm and teach. He taught Auto Mechanics and Industrial Arts for thirty years at Plainville High School. Merl was an avid outdoorsman. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the American Legion Post 173 Hays, Kansas. Whether farming, hunting, fishing, to working his dogs, he did everything with passion and precision. He put his heart into all that he did, from teaching to farming to fixing anything, often times having nothing to start with, there was nothing he could not do when he put his hands to it. Merl will be lovingly remembered by his wife Donna of the home; son Mikel Gager and wife Dana of Grand Island, NE; daughter Jorja Campbell and husband Rodney of Stockton; step-sons Brett Hughes and wife Shawna of Hoisington, and Corey Hughes and wife Jae of Fairfield, TX; sister Carol Carmody of Albuquerque, NM; thirteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Ira and Alice Gager, and a sister Billie Shanks. Merl was a hardworking and caring man. While he strived for perfection in all that he did, he knew how to have fun and enjoy life along the way. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will serve as an inspiration to those who knew him… always do what you love, and always love what you do.