Rufus Wayne Hogard was born in 1933 in Kansas City, KS to Rufus Winslow Hogard and Ruth Irene Hogard. He grew up in Kansas City and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University in Kansas where he remained a dedicated alumni. He spent the bulk of his career in educational administration at various colleges across the Midwest. He also worked in the real estate business and enjoyed dabbling in entrepreneurial endeavors.
On May 28, 1959 he married Barbara Jean Bayless at the First Christian Church in Carthage, MO. They loved to go dancing. Throughout their marriage they lived in Carthage, MO, St. Louis, MO, Liberal, MO, Topeka, KS, Hudson, IA, Beloit, WI, and for 44 years they lived together and raised their family in Davenport, IA where he resided until his passing.
Wayne was a full-blown Yankee Doodle who loved his country. He served in the U.S. Navy/Korean War from 1952-1956 and was very proud to be a veteran and to have had the opportunity to take the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Wayne was a kind soul and a ‘people person’ who loved a cold beer. He believed in the inherent good of humanity, didn’t know a stranger, and wasn’t afraid to strike up a conversation. He made friends everywhere he wandered. Those that knew him wouldn’t hesitate to profess ‘We love Wayne!’ Wayne loved all of them too. True to his Irish heritage, he was a smart, thoughtful, witty Leprechaun who could also be a little sneaky. Above all, he was endearing and had a big heart. He would give the shirt off his own back to help someone else.
Our sweet Dad passed away very unexpectedly on February 7, 2023 at Genesis East hospital in Davenport, IA after a cardiac arrest.
He is survived by two children, Ron Hogard of Davenport, IA, and Laurie (Hogard) Mueller with husband Henry of East Moline, IL. The apple of his eye has always been his only grandchild, Alexa Mueller. He is also survived by two sisters, Frankey Craven of Las Vegas, NV, Ruth Gordon of Peoria, AZ, and sister-in-law Donna Staats of Kansas City, MO along with many much-loved nieces and nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rufford Hogard, sister-in-law Thelma Hogard, brother in-laws (Gerry Gordon, Bill Craven and Bob Staats) and his beloved wife, Barbara.
A Christian service to celebrate his life will be held at Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport, IA on Friday February 17, 2023 at 12pm, friends may greet the family from 10am until time of service.
