Sarah Hogan

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sarah Caton Hogan, who selflessly lived her life to benefit others. The Christmas season has always been a particularly busy time of the year for her to create and spread joy to so many. It is of little wonder that in the few days prior to her passing on December 23, 2024, she was thoughtfully engaged in last minute Christmas details. While it is heartbreaking to lose one so loved during Christmastime, it is also befitting that God chose Sarah to enter his Gates of Heaven during the season of celebration. We celebrate the life of Sarah Hogan.

Born October 2, 1933, Sarah was an extraordinary gift to all whose lives she touched both personally and philanthropically. Sarah exuded unsurpassed interest and a keen drive to help those in need, including family, friends, and community. An astute visionary for community improvement, Sarah had limitless energy and desire to give of herself to others. She epitomized femininity, elegance, refinement and grace, yet was a powerful advocate for improved quality of education for Oklahoma, as well as a major contributor to the arts.

Sarah leaves behind a legacy of philanthropy, advocacy for higher education, and a passion for the arts, especially the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, the Oklahoma City Ballet, the Oklahoma Symphony, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Serving as the Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma in 1992, Sarah left an indelible mark upon the university, focusing her energies on the beautification of the campus. She specifically was proud to serve on the Steering Committee at the University of Oklahoma Center of the Five Indian Ballerinas and School of Dance Building. Additionally, she founded the University of Oklahoma Ambassador College of Fine Arts; served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Oklahoma College of Liberal Studies; the University of Oklahoma Honors College Board of Visitors; and the University of Oklahoma College of Arts & Sciences Board of Visitors Emeritus; the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Board of Visitors; the University of Oklahoma Centennial Commission Public Affairs Committee; the University of Oklahoma Reach for Excellence Campaign 1996-1999; “Once Upon A Dream” Ballet benefit for the University of Oklahoma; and the University of Oklahoma Crimson Club Advisory Board.

In addition to her work at the University of Oklahoma, Sarah was tremendously honored to serve on the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation Executive Committee since 1992. Along with the aforementioned educational institutions, she also served on the Metropolitan Library System Endowment Trust Board of Trustees; the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Board Emeriti; the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center; the Oklahoma Art Institute as Vice-Chairman; the Oklahoma the Guy Fraser Harrison Academy Cultural Committee in Oklahoma City; the Oklahoma Society for Japan; the Juliette Low Society, Redlands Girl Scouts; the World Literature Today Board of Visitors; Chapman University Board of Trustees Chairman 2002-2006; Student Life and Enrollment Committee; Chapman University; and Chapman Academic Committee.

Sarah was born to Gerald Caton Maddox and Mary Marguerite Maddox. She grew up in Oklahoma City. After graduating from Classen High School in Oklahoma City, she went on to study at the University of Oklahoma School of Journalism. As a freshman, she pledged Pi Beta Phi Sorority and met Dan Hogan on a blind double date. Each had other dates, but according to Dan, it was love at first sight. He knew that night that she was the one, while it took Sarah a few more dates to fall in love with Dan. The couple were married on April 1, 1955, at Crown Heights Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, in a double wedding ceremony with her beloved sister, Mary Elizabeth Wilson. Following their wedding, Dan enlisted in the United States Air Force and trained to become a pilot flying B-47s and was assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC), located in Homestead, Florida. They were married for sixty-nine years, and are survived by her beloved husband, Dan, and their four beloved children, Randy, Brad, Blake, and Lisa, their beautiful daughters-in-law Erica, Ciane, Shawn, and son-in-law Griff, along with their ten grandchildren, Sommer, Dylan, Kate, Sam, Caton, Daniel, Lauren, Blake Jr., Finn and Max, and three great-grandchildren, Liza, James, and Audrey. Sarah led an extraordinary life, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of her children and her grandchildren, and everyone she touched. She was hopelessly devoted to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her endless joy and laughter.

Sarah was preceded in death by her cherished parents, Gerald and Mary Maddox, along with her beloved sister, Mary Elizabeth Wilson. Sarah cherished her three nieces, Leslie Adair Wilson, Millonn Lilly, and Elizabeth Pledger.

Sarah’s life was intertwined with the steadfast devotion to her family, friends, and her community. Sarah taught Sunday School at Nichols Methodist Church for 21 years, alongside Dan. According to her children, all the Sunday School kids wanted to be in her class because she provided donuts every Sunday.

When gathered for special family celebrations, Dan would always begin with a toast to Sarah, stating that he was the luckiest man in the world to have Sarah by his side, for she was the love of his life who bettered the lives of all she touched.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sarah and Dan’s assistant, George, who has shown boundless love, compassion and care to our beloved parents for seventeen years. George’s unwavering support and devotion to Sarah has been a blessing to our family. We would also like to express our deep appreciation to Monica for the love and devotion shown to our mother for five years. George and Monica’s presence in their lives has been a godsend. We wish to express our appreciation to the extraordinary team of assistants who cared for Sarah.

Sarah’s presence was always the brightest of lights within the room. Her sparkling eyes, beautiful smile and positive outlook on life conveyed a warmth to each person she greeted; she made each individual feel so special. Her magnetism wielded an intangible force that drew people to her and caused others to respect her advice and opinions. Never judgmental, nor critical of others, Sarah evoked the best in all who knew her. Sarah gifted a lighted path for us to follow, one paved with a foundation of Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May we embrace Sarah’s ideals and vision for the benefit of all humanity.

A private service for Sarah will be held for family members.

In loving memory of Sarah, please send your remembrance of her to the OU Foundation: School of Dance:

OU Foundation

P.O. Box 258856

Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856

Please make checks payable to OU Foundation. Designate fund #30504 in the memo section of the check.

In loving memory of Sarah, please send memorials to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics:

ossmfoundation.org