HOAGLAND, Emerson Whitaker, age 27, passed away on February 27, 2021, following a struggle with cancer.

He finished a MA in Community and Regional Planning at the University of Oregon the summer prior and prepared to begin his career as a planner for Linn County, Oregon. He graduated from Norman High School in 2012 and earned his BA in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2016. In 2017, Emerson began shaping the community of Reedsport, where he worked as the Main Street Coordinator in the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments program. There, his love for the Oregon coast intensified, leading to many joyous camping and fishing trips with his wife and friends. If he wasn't reading or watching movies, Emerson spent time playing the guitar. He also held a passion for the violin. Emerson always filled his mornings with the PBS Newshour, and his hunger for political discussion couldn't be satisfied. His sharp wit left everyone he met in awe of his wisdom and humor. Many will remember the strange, hilarious offhand remarks he often made.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Joel and Janet Whitaker. He is survived by his wife, Julie Sorrells; his mother and father, Julianne Whitaker and Bruce Hoagland; and his brother Ethan Hoagland; and his grandparents, James and Diane Hoagland.

In lieu of flowers, reach out to RARE Program Director Titus Tomlinson at titust@uoregon.edu to make donations in Emerson's memory.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home handled the arrangements (www.aasum-dufour.com).