Samuel David Haga

Under a full moon, in the early hours of August 28, 2026, Samuel “David” Haga’s heartbeat for the last time.

David, 83, of Fall Branch, Tennessee, passed away peacefully in his sleep beside his beloved wife of 63 years, Mavis Haga. After a long life marked by heart complications, his final, terminal beat brought an end to a life that was anything but ordinary—a life of courage, intellect, generosity, humor, and an extraordinary capacity to love.

His heart may have finally grown tired, but it was a heart that had carried the courage of a hero, the devotion of a husband, the love of a father and grandfather, and a generosity of spirit that touched everyone, fortunate enough to know him.

Born in Kingsport, Tennessee, David lived a remarkable life—one shaped by courage, intelligence, curiosity, conviction, and an abiding devotion to the people and principles he held dear.

David proudly served his country as a United States Army Ranger during the Vietnam War. His military service reflected the courage and sense of duty that defined so much of his life: a willingness to stand between danger and the people he loved, to protect his country, his community, his friends, and his family. He was willing to sacrifice his own life so that others might keep theirs.

After his military service, David built a successful career as a Sales Manager for IBM. But later in life, he found something that captured his heart in a different way: Dave’s Books and Stuff, his used bookstore in Fall Branch. The store was more than a business. It was a reflection of David himself—a place built around his love of books, history, ideas, and, most of all, people. A conversation with Dave could lead almost anywhere and almost always included a laugh or two. He possessed a remarkable mind, an enormous depth of knowledge, and a genuine willingness to share what he knew. His wit and sense of humor had a rare quality: he could teach you something and make you laugh at the same time.

David moved many times during his tenure as a Sales Manager for IBM, and wherever his career took him, he carried his faith with him. He was a deeply devoted Christian whose faith was not simply something he professed, but something he lived. Throughout his life, he was an active and faithful member of the Virginia Beach Church of Christ, Tidewater Church of Christ, Brookmead Church of Christ, Annandale Church of Christ, and most recently, the Kingsport Church of Christ. His church families were an important part of his life, and his commitment to his faith remained steadfast through every move, every chapter, and every season of his life.

David’s faith shaped the way he treated others—with compassion, generosity, humility, and a willingness to serve. He believed in the importance of loving his neighbor, helping those in need, and leaving the world better than he found it. His Christian faith was woven into the person he was: a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and member of his community.

David was also a member of the Boones Creek Historical Society. His love of history and appreciation for the past were more than interests; they were part of how he understood the world. He believed that people mattered. Their stories mattered. Their ideas, their struggles, their triumphs, and the lessons they left behind mattered. His faith and his love of history shared something at their core—a profound belief that the lives of people have meaning, and that what we leave behind can continue to teach, inspire, and touch others long after we are gone.

But beyond his accomplishments, his service, his intelligence, and his many interests, David’s greatest legacy was the family he loved.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Mavis Haga, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Sixty-three years is more than a number. It is a lifetime of ordinary mornings and extraordinary days, of challenges weathered together, laughter shared, sacrifices made, and a family-built side by side. Mavis was his partner through it all, and their life together was one of the greatest chapters of David’s story.

He is also survived by his three children, Theresa Bach, Daniel Haga, and Zach Haga; his two grandchildren, Gabriella Bach and Eleanor Haga; and his brother, Gordon Haga.

To his family, David was far more than his accomplishments. He was the voice in the room, the storyteller, the teacher, the protector, and the person whose presence made a house feel like home. His children and grandchildren will carry not only the memories of what he did, but the memory of who he was—the things he taught them, the laughter he gave them, the stories he told, and the countless small moments that become precious only after they are gone.

Words cannot portray the magnanimity, intelligence, and generosity of Samuel David Haga. There are people whose lives cannot be adequately summarized by a collection of dates, occupations, or accomplishments. David was one of those people. He was a man of uncommon intellect and uncommon heart. He served his country. He built a career. He created a place where books and people could come together. He valued history, knowledge, faith, community, and the simple power of a good conversation.

But most importantly, he gave his heart to the people around him. For those lucky enough to know him, there will now be an empty chair, a quiet moment when his voice should be there, a book that brings back a memory, and a story that will never be told quite the same way again. His absence will be felt in ways both large and small.

A life like David’s does not disappear, it remains in the people he loved. It remains in the lessons he taught. It remains in the books he shared, the stories he told, the laughter he created, and the family he leaves behind. It remains in every person who was made a little wiser, a little happier, or simply a little better by knowing him. He leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years or accomplishments, but in the lives, he touched and the love he gave.

May Samuel “David” Haga’s soul rest in peace; He made the world a better place. His heart may have stopped beating, but what he put into the hearts of others will continue to beat for generations. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Memorial services will be postponed and announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Samuel David Haga’s memory are encouraged to make a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, in recognition of his service to his country and his lifelong commitment to others.