Chris's obituary
Chris Haagenson, 42, of Fresno passed away June 15, 2022 in his sleep after a short illness. He was born Christopher Erik Haagenson in Cheyenne, Wyoming on April 10, 1980 to Gene and Mary (Wright) Haagenson. Chris spent his early years in Idaho until the family relocated to Fresno in 1990.
The second-born child, he arrived two weeks late and after that, strived to be first in everything he did, even to the point of cheating at board games, according to his siblings. He crawled at 5 months, walked at 8 months, rode a bike without training wheels at 3 ½. He excelled at everything he attempted. Much to his sister’s dismay, he easily won a lead part as Winthrop in The Music Man, at age 5, memorizing his lines and those of all the adults, before he could read. After his early success in theater, he focused on sports, playing baseball through elementary and high school and later football. After recovering from a brain tumor in 1997, he went on to his senior year, setting records at Buchanan High School, and earning a college football scholarship.
After attending Fresno State studying construction management, Chris worked for many years in the telecommunications construction industry as a project manager in Sacramento. He relocated to Fresno last year and was able to spend the last year of his life closer to family and old friends. Chris charmed everyone he met, and was close to his parents and both of his grandmothers. He adored his nieces and nephews, and always wanted kids of his own.
At the time of his death, he was working on landscaping his yard and planning a trip to Europe. His sudden passing on the morning of June 15th shocked and saddened his family and friends. Chris is survived by his parents, Gene and Mary, his grandmother Bonnie Wright, his sister Erin and her husband Matt Stout, and nephews Ewan and Gavin, all of Clovis; grandparents Betsey and her husband Clyde Bonnelycke of Lytle, Texas; niece Olivia Haagenson of Ventura; and his brother Matt Haagenson and his partner Helena Markusson, and nieces Mira and Luisa of Jarvso, Sweden; and his German Shorthair dog, Charlie, who is looking for a home.
The family is grateful for the outpouring of support from so many who also loved Chris. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, June 26, at 1 pm at Fresno County Sportsman’s Club, 10645 N Lanes Road, Fresno, 93730.