Drew Linden Hager, 43, of Las Vegas, New Mexico, died peacefully, mother and father at his side, on December 28, 2025, from complications of pneumonia and sepsis. Born in 1982 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, with midwife Jesusita Aragón, he lived in New Mexico, Florida and Colorado. Drew was the beloved son of Ellen Drew and James Hager. His loss leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of his family, friends, and the many people whose paths he brightened with his generosity, curiosity, and boundless spirit.
From the beginning, Drew was a child with keen imagination and intellect. His entrepreneurial spark ignited early. He helped launch a children’s bank in Denver at age eleven–a story featured in The New York Times. His determination to buy his first computer led to one of the bank’s first loans, foretelling his lifelong passion for innovation in business.
As a young teen, Drew attended a summer program at the Colorado School of Mines with space‑voyage trainer Doc Palmere, an experience that shaped him profoundly. He went on to work with Doc for the next five to ten years, forming lifelong friendships and forging his love of science and exploration. Doc described Drew as a ‘Bright and Shining Star.’ A leader in high school, Drew was editor of the school newspaper and yearbook. He graduated in 2000 from Arvada West High School, where he sang in the choir—an experience he always cherished. Music was one of his great loves, producing CDs for his musician friends.
In the early 2000s, Drew taught in the solar electric program at Red Rocks Community College. He founded a Christian church in Arvada, CO, a 501C-3 non-profit where he served as Elder, welcoming people into conversation and reflection. Between 2001-2004 he was awarded “Top 3 for Training” in Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA).
Drew’s professional life was as varied as it was successful. From 2004-2007 he built computer databases for the non-profit he helped start, the Strategic Environmental Project Pipeline (StEPP) Foundation, which continues to be a vital pipeline to communities impacted by pollution. For 15 years he worked for the nutraceutical company Mannatech and was named “Top Enroller” out of 250,000 active agents in 2004.
Drew had a gift for marketing, design, sales, and customer service. He dreamed in logos and business processes, and he delighted in helping others refine their ideas. Returning to NM in 2007, he excelled as leading salesperson at Fiesta Kia in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, also creating their logo. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic he was an agent for American Income Life insurance company. A talented writer, he often assisted friends–and his mother—editing for clarity and content. In 2023 he started True Clean NM LLC, providing window cleaning in northern NM. At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business toward an MBA at New Mexico Highlands University.
Drew believed strongly in community and public service. He ran for San Miguel County Commissioner, and in 2023 he was elected to the Tierra y Montes Water Soil and Water Conservation Board, in his desire to fight for safe drinking water in northern NM.
Whether skiing, playing hockey, scuba diving, or hiking, Drew found inspiration outdoors. He loved wildlife, volunteering at the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge and at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado.
Drew is survived by his mother, father, half‑sister, extended family, his sweetheart, and his beloved rescue dog, Hailey. He and his mother shared an especially deep and enduring bond. For the last several years he and his girlfriend enjoyed many travel adventures together.
Drew will be dearly missed for the difference he made in our lives–for his ideas, his service, his kindness, and his belief in the potential of people and communities. His legacy is one of creativity, compassion, and concern for humanity. He was a fun-loving person with a fine sense of humor. Always trying to make the world a better place, he was fearless in his approach to life. We will remember Drew for his favorite saying, “what matters most is Truth and Love.”
Our dear Drew Hager Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, April 11th, 2026 in Bernal, New Mexico at the Bernal Community Center, off I-25, exit 330. The service will begin at 1 p.m.
Donations in Drew’s name can be made to the New Mexico Wild organization, www.nmwild.org.