On February 12, 2026, Donald James Hallager of San Antonio, Texas passed very peacefully into the arms of Jesus with his children, his sister and her husband by his side. He is now reunited with his precious Ginny and all the family and friends who went before him.

He is survived by his children, Kathi Barden (David) and Mike Hallager; his beloved granddaughter, Lindsay Hoisington; his sister, Susan Brown and her husband, Terry, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Colonel Hallager was born on January 6, 1940, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Ellen Margaret Hallager and Chester George Hallager.

In 1958, he entered the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a Red Tag – proudly earning his place in the first 4-year graduating class in the history of the Academy. While there, he played football and notably was one of only two freshmen to play in the Cotton Bowl in 1958, a remarkable achievement that hinted at the grit and perseverance he would carry through every chapter of his life.

After graduating from the Academy, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in June 1962.

He began pilot training at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, in August 1962 and earned his pilot wings in September 1963. His first operational assignment was as a B-47 co-pilot at Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska.

On December 19, 1964, he married the love of his life, Virginia Gail Wheaton, then serving in the United States Navy. Their union would be the cornerstone of a life defined by service, love, and family.

In January 1965, he completed KC-135 Combat Crew Training at Castle Air Force Base, California, and was assigned to the 34th Air Refueling Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. While stationed at Offutt, he and Virginia welcomed their first child, Katherine Margaret Hallager, born January 1966.

In June 1966, his unit moved to Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, where he continued flying KC/EC-135 aircraft. On August 18, 1967, their son Michael James Hallager was born — fittingly on his mother's 25th birthday.

Between 1966 and 1970, Colonel Hallager flew three ARC Light tours and two Young Tiger tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, advancing to aircraft commander and instructor pilot.

In October 1970, he was assigned to Headquarters Second Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, serving as Chief of Aircrew Management and later as aide to the Commander.

In October 1973, he was reassigned to Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, serving as aide and executive officer to the Vice Commander in Chief, General James Keck, who became a lifelong mentor.  After B-52 Combat Crew Training at Castle Air Force Base, he was assigned to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, where he served as: B-52 aircraft commander and instructor pilot, Squadron operations officer, Chief of the Command-and-Control Division and Squadron commander of organizational maintenance.

He earned a Master's Degree in Management and Supervision in May 1976 and later attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C.

Colonel Hallager then served in senior strategic roles at the Pentagon and within the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including work in nuclear weapons planning and strategic operations. He served as Vice Commander of the 42d Bombardment Wing at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, before assuming command of the 97th Bombardment Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas in November 1982. He later returned to the Pentagon in a key strategic leadership role.

He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on December 21, 1979, and logged more than 5,000 flying hours in the B-47, KC-135, B-52, and T-39 aircraft. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with six service stars, and many others.

After retiring from the United States Air Force in 1987, Colonel Hallager continued serving his country as a Senior Engineer for a defense contractor, working on government contracts, and becoming widely respected as an authority in strategic nuclear planning and command and control.

Yet aviation was always his first love.

In 1990, he returned to flying, joining United Airlines. Over the next decade, he served as Flight Engineer on the Boeing 727; First Officer on the Boeing 737, 767/757, and 777; and Captain on the Airbus A320/319. When he retired from United Airlines in 2000, he had logged more than 12,000 total flying hours across his military and commercial aviation career.

All these accomplishments reflect what he did throughout his life, and they were many and remarkable. But they do not fully capture who he was at his core.

Don was a man who loved his wife fiercely. He often said Ginny was absolutely perfect for him. They were just shy of celebrating 58 years of marriage when she passed away in 2022. Their life together was a true partnership through military moves, ministry service, parenting, grandparenting, and every ordinary and extraordinary moment in between. They traveled the world together during his years with United Airlines, and he delighted in surprising her with trips, thoughtful gifts, and small gestures of love. He was an exceptional gift giver … and when someone expressed gratitude, he would grin and quickly tell them what a great bargain he had found.

His faith in the Lord was quiet but deep. He loved God sincerely and was never afraid to wrestle with tough questions. For twenty-five years, he served faithfully as a leader in the church he and Ginny called home. He did not seek attention for his faith he simply lived it.

He was an athlete from the age of eleven and remained fiercely competitive his entire life whether on the football field, on the golf course, or racing to be the first to grab the dinner check when out with family and friends. But beneath that competitive spirit was something steadier and stronger: a servant's heart.

Family was his highest priority and his greatest responsibility. Not just his wife and children, but siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends who became family over time. He watched over them. He made sure they were okay. He took care of his people.

He was tough when he needed to be and when circumstances warranted it, but more often than not, he led with grace and understanding. As a father, he became a steady rudder, helping to steer his children and granddaughter lovingly into who they are today. He was disciplined and strong, yet also sweet and sometimes tearfully tenderhearted.

He was his older sister's fiercest protector, yet he taught his younger sister how to stand and fight for herself. He delighted in teaching, in showing people things they had never seen before, especially his little sister.

He and Ginny always showed up - for the significant milestones and the small everyday moments. If someone they loved were doing something that mattered, they were there. Whenever his sister Sue, a pastor, began serving a new church, he made it a point to be present for her very first sermon.

Serving was not something he did, it was simply who he was. He jumped in wherever he saw a need for neighbors, family, friends, or even strangers.

In retirement at Blue Skies of Texas in San Antonio, that spirit continued. He and Ginny served as ambassadors for the community they loved, influencing many others to join them there. He advocated for veterans' widows by petitioning the Texas Congress for airport parking benefits. He played golf and oversaw the driving range, even championing the addition of a putting green. He rode with the cycling club several times a week, often logging thirty miles at a time. When Don made friends, they were lifelong friends.

He absolutely loved being a grandfather. He was there when his granddaughter, Lindsay Ellen Hoisington, was born in March of 2000 and from that moment on, he was completely smitten. Throughout her life, and even until his final days, he was her protector, provider, cheerleader, encourager, and willing participant in every bit of make-believe she could imagine.

We are his legacy. And we will continue striving to honor the man he was for the rest of our lives.

There will be a Celebration of Life with Military Honors at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20th, 2026 at the Blue Skies of Texas West High Flight Chapel. A reception will follow at Blue Skies.