Ronald Hagen

WA - Ron Hagen, 81, passed away September 12, 2026. He was born February 1, 1945, in Roseau, MN, the eldest of four sons born to Kenneth & Muriel Hagen. Ron was raised in North Dakota & Wyoming. He moved to Washington in 1969 & later became involved with racing Quarter Horses. When looking for a place to board his horses he met Nina. They were married on May 2, 1982. Ron founded Design Air Ltd. an HVAC company in Kent. The Hagens acquired their first Thoroughbred runners in 1981 & bought the original Enumclaw property which would become El Dorado Farms in 1983. The Hagens have been Washington's leading breeder nine times & have bred six WA champions. Ron raced several horses with Nina and in other partnerships, including Emerald Downs' 2026 top 2-year-old filly Mattie Goincoastal. In 2017, the Hagens were honored with the S.J. Agnew Special Achievement Award & in 2025 were inducted into the Washington Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame (breeder category), as well as being named TOBA winners for WA State. He was predeceased by his parents; & brother, Richard. Ron is survived by his wife, Nina; son, Kenny; grandson, Reese; & brothers, Duaine (Sheila) & Gary (Roseann).

On Wednesday, September 30, a viewing will be held from 9am until noon at Week's Funeral Home in Buckley (451 Cemetery Rd) followed by an honorary drive past El Dorado Farms & at 1:00 pm graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Park (23717 SE 416th Ave, Enumclaw). A celebration of Ron's life will be held at Emerald Downs in 2027.