John Haag

John Francis Haag, 83, of Chatom, passed away April 4, 2020, at his residence. He was born September 19, 1936 in Mobile to Roy Ernest Haag and Lula Coaker Haag, both of whom preceded him in death. He grew up in Fruitdale and helped his parents run the Fruitdale Café and General Store which was a center of the community, serving hot food and grocery items. That sense of community and service through business stayed with John and influenced his life’s work. After graduation from Fruitdale High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in New Hampshire.

He would later return to the area and he and his family opened the Clover Farm Grocery (later the Piggly Wiggly) in Chatom. John loved owning the store and being a member of the Chatom business community. He could often be found “holding court” with fellow business owners at the Timberland cafe. He served on the Chatom Town Council and served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Chatom Baptist Church and Fairhope Baptist Church. In recent years, John wasn’t able to be as physically active, but his mind was sharp, and he analyzed the future of business and society right to the end. He was smart and funny and loved and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Powell Haag; children, Chris (Sherry) Haag, Michelle (Donnie) Anderson, Victor Haag, Denise (Lance) Larson, Deborah (Gordon) Sloat, Phil Hoffman, Joe Hoffman; grandchildren, Larry (Abbey) Haag, Mike Haag, Jason (Leslie) Anderson, Dusty (Ryan) Smith, Tara Beech, Andrea Larson, Jessica Larson, Jeffrey (Jessica) Sloat, Justin (Kacy) Sloat, Ryan Hoffman and great-grandchildren, Baylee Anderson, William Anderson, Devin Roberts, Zane Roberts, Maci Smith, Rylan Beech, Colt Beech, Gracie Rae Sloat, Tucker Sloat and Fisher Sloat.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2020 at the Chatom Town Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Loper officiating and Lathan Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers will be Jason Anderson, Larry Haag, Mike Haag, Jeffery Sloat, Justin Sloat and Ryan Smith

Honorary pallbearers will be Fairhope Baptist Church family, James Ryan Hoffman, Denise Rhodes and Chalsey Loper.

Condolences may be offered at www.lathanfuneralhome.com.