ARLINGTON--Virgil "Pops" Keith Hazen died Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: A graveside military service and burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. Visitation: Family and friends are invited to Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Drive, in Arlington, Texas, from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, for visitation. Pops was son of the late Andrew Farris Hazen and Evelyn Minnette Smallfoot Hazen and was born Dec. 9, 1934, in Farnam, Neb. He attended school in Farnam and was a graduate of Farnam Public School in 1952, joining the U.S. Navy in 1953. Mr. Hazen retired from the U.S. Navy NAS, New Orleans, in 1980. He married his love on Dec. 16, 1964, and together they raised eight children. During his lifetime, he was very involved with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, which he enjoyed very much. He was also an avid military memorabilia collector from the age of 8 until his death. He loved working with his hands and was a wonderful woodworker and as well as a talented cross stitcher. He enjoyed the simple things in life, visiting with family, and relaxed by watching sports. He was a lifetime Nebraska Cornhusker fan and never missed an opportunity to watch a Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers game. His family paid tribute to him: "He was full of life, fun and always good for a great joke. He was a good man and could always make you smile. Family is not defined by blood." He will be greatly missed and forever cherished in our memories. Pops was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Kurt and Keith; brother, John; son-in-law, Kenny; and grandson, T.J. SURVIVORS: Virgil is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janice Gronewold Hazen; children, Craig (Korin), Brad (Tonya), Scott (Debbie), Sheri (Teddy), Vicki (Bill), Cyndi (David); 29 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his beloved pal, his dog, Ginger.

Published in Star-Telegram on Oct. 14, 2018