Clifford Oldham Hagan, 94, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, passed away peacefully at his home.
Cliff, affectionately known as Poppa, by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born in Owensboro to Thomas and Mabel Hagan on Dec. 9, 1931.
He attended Owensboro High School, the University of Kentucky, and earned his M.A. at Washington State University in St. Louis.
He was a gifted athlete. He was one of only a few basketball players to win championships at every level including a Kentucky Boys State High School Championship, an NCAA Championship as a Kentucky Wildcat, an Air Force World Wide League Championship, and the 1958 NBA Championship with the St. Louis Hawks. He was the first Kentucky Wildcat player inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978, as well as numerous other honors and achievements.
After retiring from basketball, he returned to Lexington where he served as the University of Kentucky Athletics Director. He was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Martha M. Hagan; three daughters, Lisa Hagan, Laurie Hill (Jim) and Amy Krause; one son, Clifford Hagan Jr (Kim); and one sister, Betty Curd (Bill).
All services are private.
Memorial contributions may be made to one of his fondest legacies:
Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club of Owensboro
Milward Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.
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