The Life and History of Raymond Hogan
May 2, 1919 to October 29, 2015

Raymond Hogan was born into a large family, a very large family.  His grandfather, Johannes Hoegen (Hogan), emigrated from Holland in 1870 and settled near Long Island, Kansas.  Ray's father, John, was one of fifteen children.  John and Lena Hogan carried on the tradition with a family of eleven children, two of whom died as infants.  Ray was born in 1919 midway among all his brothers and sisters.
Life on the farm in the 1920's and 30's was often difficult.  Most work was still done with teams of horses and strong backs.  An eighth grade education was considered plenty in farm country.  As the brothers and sisters grew up and began looking for work, they heard that the land of milk and honey was actually located in the Dutch community of south Denver.  There were beautiful women, handsome men, and plentiful jobs.  Sure enough it was true.  Ray met and married Gladys DeWitte in May of 1941.  His brother Joe married her best friend, Dorothy Bennett.  Seven members of the family eventually moved to Denver and raised families.
Shortly after Ray and Gladys married, World War II intervened with Ray entering the Army-Air Force in March 1942.  He was trained as an airplane maintenance mechanic, servicing fighter planes and bombers throughout the war.  He was stationed at Minter Field in California and at Hickam Field in Hawaii during his four years of service.  Mustering out in January 1946 as a Staff Sergeant, he returned home to finally meet his son, Alan, who was already 1 year and 9 months old.  A few years later, Darrell was born in 1949.
Fortunately, Ray was able to find work at the Gates Rubber Company, making tires at the factory on Broadway, and Gladys became a bookkeeper.  Ultimately, Ray worked at Gates for 37 years.  But that was not his only job.  To make ends meet, he and his brother Joe operated a tree trimming business as well.  Typical days would entail trimming trees in the morning, then working the 3-11 shift at Gates.  Most Saturdays were also work days, often helping somebody else.  No wonder his hands were so big.  Sundays were always reserved for church, where Ray was a member of Third Christian Reformed Church and Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church throughout his life.
Ray's work ethic set a great example.  While we often wished he also would set an example for recreation and travel, he taught us the value of responsibility, dependability and toughness.  These qualities were instilled in Alan and Darrell who went on to graduate from CSU as civil engineers.  Later, all four of the grand children also graduated from CSU.  It looks like the next generation may do the same.
In 1981 Ray and Gladys retired and moved back to the country near the town of Elizabeth.  Ray enjoyed his famous team of white mules and his dog, Susie.  He was also active in the local VFW in Elizabeth.  Naturally, Ray kept working part time for a local home builder.  
However, tragedy struck the family in 1985 when Alan died in a plane crash.  The family was sent reeling for a time, and as they say a parent never really gets over the loss of a child.  But with God's help and the support of friends and family, Bonnie, Scott and Lori moved ahead and made Al very proud.  
Ray and Gladys stayed in Elizabeth until Gladys died in 1996.  Ray was forced to eat his own cooking, which not long after led to a heart attack and bypass surgery.  That was the catalyst to move to Clermont Park at age 81.  He lived in an independent apartment in the Aspens for over fourteen years.  The CLC motto of Refired Living proved to be true as he enjoyed the residents and staff there.  While he avoided any sort of large group activity, including the noon meal in the chow hall, he could regularly be seen patrolling the lobby in his scooter.  He was usually the first person at breakfast, but also the first one to bed after dinner.
Raymond would want us to tell you thank you for everything.  Surely, he would encourage his partners in crime at CLC to carry on with the pranks on the staff.  He would also want us to thank family members for visits and phone calls.  He always tried to keep track of the nephews and nieces, particularly back in Kansas.  In recent weeks he became much more reflective and offered this advice from a 96-year old to the younger generation  just slow down a little and trust in the Lord.  And finally, never forget his consistent answer whenever you asked him how he was doing  --  hangin' on.
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Raymond Hogan

2 mai 1919 – 29 octobre 2015

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Raymond Hogan

2 mai 1919 – 29 octobre 2015

Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery

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