Obituary of Charles Sager

On Tuesday, March 2, 2021, Charles Richard Sager, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully of congestive heart failure at the age of 73. Charles was born August 10, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Mitchell and Fern (Rauch) Sager. Charles graduated from Kimball High School in 1965. He proudly served in the United States Army as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist from 1967 to 1969. After his discharge, he worked at Texas Instruments and Datotek. Charles married Paula Anderson and had two children, Charles Lynn and Christy. Charles joined the Grand Prairie (TX) Police Department in 1976. He graduated with a Criminal Justice degree from Dallas Baptist University. After twenty-two years of service, he retired from the GPPD. After he retired, Charles kept busy with a number of projects that were important to him, including building web pages for family and friends. In 2001, he married Candace Yaquinto. Charles grew up in St. Louis where his father worked for the Katy railroad. In the mid-1950s the Katy railroad brought the family to Dallas, Texas, and that is where they stayed. As Charles grew up, he was active in the Boy Scouts and Grace Lutheran Church. His childhood home was across the street from the home of Dallas Police Department Officer, J.D. Tippit. Charles drew inspiration to become a police officer by the actions of Officer Tippit. Charles answered to many names: Charles, Chick, Chuck, Sager, Dad, Poppy, and he always showed up when his name was called. He was dependable. He had an impeccable work ethic and stood up for what he believed, even if it had serious consequences. He loved his “Brothers in Blue”, deeply. He was devastated at the in the line of duty deaths of Officer Lyndon King in 1981 and then, again, one of his closest friends, Sergeant Greg Hunter in 2004. Charles was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to sing their praises when chatting with others. When he was getting ready to welcome his first grandchild, he shared that he wanted to be called, “Grandfather”. When the first grandchild, Christien, was born, Christien decided he should be called, “Poppy”, and it stuck. They both loved it! Charles was enjoying retirement with his loving wife, Candace, in Alpine, Texas. He was away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. He was able to shoot his guns, drive his tractor, and relax after years of hard work. When his body began to fail, Candace worked tirelessly taking care of him, watching his diet, cooking delicious meals, getting him to his doctor’s appointments, and so much more. Charles was preceded in death by both of his parents, Charles Mitchell Sager and Fern (Rauch) Sager. He is survived by his wife, Candace Yaquinto; children, Charles Lynn Sager and wife Tacy (Buxton) Sager and Christy (Sager) Hannigan and husband, James Hannigan; step-daughter, Kathleen Peek; grandchildren, Charles Christien Sager and wife Nicole (Ralston) Sager, Kelsie Sager, Carson Sager, Kylie Stevens, and Cody Stevens; great-grandchildren, Charles Beckham Sager and Nolen Sager. Charles will be interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on March 16th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: American Heart Association or Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter Memorial Foundation c/o Grand Prairie Police Department, PO Box 181686, Arlington, TX 76096-1686.