Merle Haggard, who played El Paso, dies at 79

A man with a cowboy hat lowered over his brow, the collar of his jacket pulled up to his chin, walked into an El Paso truck stop diner years ago, creating a cherished memory for a longtime waitress.

The cowboy, who did not want to be recognized, was famed country singer Merle Haggard. He died Wednesday in Palo Cedro, Calif., at the age of 79. It was his birthday.

Haggard was no stranger to El Paso, having performed and passed through the city several times in a career spanning five decades.

Haggard was recognized at the diner by Mary Rugg, who retired after working as a waitress for more than 40 years at the former Chevron Truck Stop at Gateway Boulevard East at Airway Boulevard.

"When I saw him, I walked over and he put his finger over his mouth to not say anything because he didn't want people to swarm him," recalled Rugg, who owns an autographed photo of Haggard that he mailed to her. Haggard was passing through El Paso when he stopped at the diner to eat.

Rugg said she was saddened to hear of the death of Haggard, known for a lengthy career with songs that embodied the values of the common man such as “Okie From Muskogee,” "The Fightin’ Side of Me” and "Mama Tried."

"It made me cry a little bit because he was such a beautiful person," said Rugg, who writes poetry. "He's been around for so long and had such beautiful songs."

Haggard performed in El Paso several times in a career that began in the early 1960s after he was released from San Quentin Prison on a burglary conviction. He received a full pardon from then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1972, according to new archives.

"El Paso has its own character," Haggard told the El Paso Times before a show at the old Far West Rodeo in 2002. "It has its posture and its personality. The history of El Paso and Mexico and the way they have come together as one community is an inspiration to me."

Haggard, who was born in Bakersfield, Calif., said, "I have a fond love of Mexico. I was raised in a Mexi-Cali atmosphere."

Haggard remained in California and shunned the music scene in Nashville. He was part of the older generation of country music and was credited with helping create the Bakersfield sound. He had 38 No. 1 country hits and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received Kennedy Center Honors.

Haggard last performed in El Paso in 2008. He was scheduled to play in January at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, N.M., but canceled the show for health reasons.

"We are literally dinosaurs," Haggard told the Times in 2002. "Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson. The nation should treasure the last days and the last moments of our lives. I am really proud to say that I'm part of that group. It's a mighty good group to be part of."

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.