Obituary information provided by Hutchens-Stygar Funeral and Cremation Center in St,. Charles, Missouri, with additional information from the Ad Astra Radio files
The founder of Larned’s radio stations has passed away. Donald “Hoagie” Hoagland, 86, passed away Wednesday at his home in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Hoagland grew up in rural Barber County and later in Cunningham where he graduated from Cunningham High School, where he served as student director of the school band and pep band and as a cheerleader. While in school he formed a youth dance band, made up mostly of high school musicians, who played around the area. Music would stay with him throughout much of his life after completing his service in the United States Army.
That interest led him into broadcasting, where he earned a degree from Wichita State University. Hoagland also obtained his First Class Radio Operators License, and worked for Wichita State’s KMUW-FM and as chief engineer for a station in Leavenworth.
In the summer of 1961, he partnered with Larned record store owner Marvin Downie to apply for a license to construct a radio station in Larned. At the time, there were two other applications pending with the Federal Communications Commission to construct a station in Larned that were in contest with an application for a station in Pratt which was ultimately granted.
That later led to Hoagland and Downie being granted a construction permit for a daytime-only station at 1510 AM, and on November 4th, 1963 KANS went on the air, the station that is now KLQR. In 1965 Hoagland bought out Downie’s interest and also added an FM station which was one of the first five FM facilities in the western half of Kansas. That station is now 98.9 KGBK.
In August 1967 Hoagland sold KANS AM-FM to Hillis Bell Jr., and moved to Excelsior Springs, Missouri where he constructed KEXS. In Excelsior Springs Hoagland was very involved in the community, including 10 years on the City Council, a term as Mayor, eight years as a County Judge for Clay County, Missouri, and 30 years as executive director of the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce for 30 years.
Don and his wife Linda moved to the St. Louis area in 2000 to be near their children and grandchildren. Other survivors include his son Kevin and spouse Nichole, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Eric and daughter Sabrina Gibbs, whose husband Jeff Gibbs survives.
Back to music, after completing his military service Hoagland joined the Musicians Union and continued to play the trumpet for events in the Midwest and on many cruise ships for over 50 years. Hoagie and Pzazz Band featured Big Band hits and produced several records, entertaining thousands over the years.
The family plans a private graveside service at a later date.
Memorial Contributions for Don Hoagland are suggested to the June Jessee Memorial Foundation in St. Louis, which provides relief and to support children with medically complex neurological conditions and their families, at junejessee.org.
