OZARK…Mr. Grover Keith Hagler, a resident of the Marley Mill Community, near Ozark, died late Thursday evening, September 4, 2025, in Ozark. He was 66.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hagler, born in Union Springs, Alabama, was the beloved son of the late Henry Dewitt Hagler and Marilyn Katherine Parmer Hagler Edwards. From a young age, he carried the values of hard work, humility, and kindness that were instilled in him by his family and his small-town upbringing. Union Springs may have been where his story began, but it was in Ozark where he truly made his mark.
He graduated from Carroll High School in Ozark in 1977, and those who knew him during those years remember a quiet strength, a good sense of humor, and a dependable friend. After high school, Mr. Hagler dedicated most of his working life to building construction. He was the kind of man who didn’t mind rolling up his sleeves and putting in a full day’s work. Whether it was laying foundations or helping raise walls, he took pride in knowing that his hands helped shape homes and buildings that would stand for generations.
In his earlier years, Mr. Hagler was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Ozark, where he found community and spiritual grounding. His faith was a quiet but steady part of his life—something he carried with him through both good times and hard ones.
Outside of work, Mr. Hagler had a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life. He loved to read, often getting lost in books that sparked his imagination or taught him something new. Fishing was another favorite pastime—he found peace in the stillness of the water, the patience of the wait, and the thrill of a catch. And when it came to college football, he was a proud Auburn fan through and through. Saturdays in the fall were sacred, and he never missed a chance to cheer on the Tigers.
He was a man who valued family deeply, and though life brought its share of loss, he carried those memories close to his heart. Mr. Hagler was preceded in death by his two brothers, Derrell Wilson Hagler and Anthony Dewitt Hagler. Their absence was felt deeply, but he honored them by living with quiet dignity and love for those still around him.
Mr. Hagler will be remembered not just for the work he did or the hobbies he enjoyed, but for the way he treated people—with respect, warmth, and sincerity. He was the kind of person who didn’t need to say much to make an impact. His presence was steady, his heart was generous, and his life was a testament to the beauty of living simply and loving deeply.
Surviving relatives include his sister, Marilyn Frances Diamond, North Carolina; brother, Thomas Andrew Hagler, Pinson, Alabama; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
