Thomas M. Haga

Thomas M. Haga, 98, passed away at his home Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Tom was born May 30, 1914, on Hickory Ridge, near Burton Chapel in Grayson County, VA, the son of Noah M. and Margaret M. Walls Haga. His family moved to Marion, VA in 1916 where he lived for 25 years. Tom moved to Kingsport in 1935 and continued to live in Kingsport until his death. Tom's work career began when he was 12 years old working at the Lincoln Furniture Company of Marion, VA. He also worked for short periods at the Handle Mill, Virginia Table Co., and the Southwest State Hospital.

He began work in 1935 at the Tennessee Eastman Corporation in the Planning Mill. Tom was transferred to the Power and Service Division where he worked until his retirement in June 1976, as a General Shift Foreman in the Power Division. He served during 1959-60 as President of the National Association of Power Engineers, Chapter 2.

Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, baseball, football, travel, painting and craftwork. He traveled to all 50 states and was widely read, keeping up on world events. Tom's life was dedicated to family, work, faithful responsibility and fairness. He was a charter member of Bethel Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herman, Floyd, Otis, George, Troy Walter, Elmer, Charles, Blain, Melvin and Samuel; two sisters, Hattie Haga and Lottie Wayne; and his first wife, Gladys Castle Haga.

Tom is survived by his wife, Vennah; son, Jack and his wife, Jo Anne; daughter, Nina Long and husband, Don; step-daughters, Rachel Brooks, Susan Dorsey and husband, Michael, and Ellen Hendrix and husband, Ricky; eight grandchildren, Scott Haga and wife, Amy, Kay Cypher and husband, Lee, Robb Haga and wife, Kelly, Becky Chapman and husband, Lee, Colin Long and wife, Samantha, Emma Dorsey, Miles Dorsey and Lane Hendrix; nine great-grandchildren, Erin Haga Berg and husband, Michael, Wade Haga, Seth Haga, Ashley Cypher, Tyler Cypher, Lauren Haga, Connor Haga, Lily Haga, Hannah Chapman, Elana Chapman and Coy Long; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 5-7:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday at 10:00 am at Hamlett-Dobson with Rev. Kaye Florence officating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.


The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made to the Bethel Presbyterian Church, 1593 Warpath Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664.

A special thanks to Amedysis Hospice.