Gordon Austin Hogan

Gordon Austin Hogan lived 95 rich and vibrant years until passing away on January 27, 2013 in Oregon City, OR. As a young boy, Gordon’s family moved often, but eventually landed in Roseburg, Oregon where he graduated from High School. Already music was defining his life and influencing friendships. After High School he attended U of O, but had to drop out after 2 years, due to rheumatic fever. While there, he met Jean Schurman, the bright, beautiful woman who would remain his partner for the next 67 years.

After living for a short time in Los Angeles, they moved back to Eugene where he completed his degree in psychology and started his lifelong teaching career. He liked to say, "I took a low paying job out of college and stuck with it!". He and Jean started a family, and relocated several times, including stays in Ephrata, Stevenson, finally landing in Yakima in 1960.

Gordon loved an audience. This trait helped drive is his success and love of teaching. He started the high school band in Ephrata, taught EVERYTHING in Stevenson, WA, taught music in numerous schools in Yakima, and he found true happiness teaching Special Education in the Yakima School district. In the Special Education arena, Gordon found the audience he longed for, and they adored his memorable antics and gadgetry.

Gordon’s garage was a snapshot of his hobbies…model trains, gardening equipment, and gadgets galore. But if you had to pinpoint his true love, it was music. To bandleaders, he was known as the “utility infielder” because whenever the band was short a player, Gordon could pitch in with any of 10 different instruments. In addition to teaching in schools and privately, he played in numerous bands. While in Yakima those included the Yakima Valley Community Band, The Elks Band, and The Yakima River Jazz Band and in Oregon, the Clackamas Community Band. He would play anytime, anywhere…filling in at a high school band concert, or simply entertaining those around him.

Life for Gordon was always an adventure waiting to be experienced, possibly created. He could turn a humdrum drive home into a lifelong memory simply by making his kids, and later his grandkids, give turn-by-turn directions for the whole ride. In his zest for life, he would always look for ways to put a spark in the day. If Gordon needed a walking cane, he would make one from the most gnarled branch he could find, just to hear the comments from people. He was king of the one-liners, and was always such a card….joker, of course.

After Jean passed away in 2009, he spent his last years assisted, loved and cared for by the incredible staff at Gilman Park Assisted Living, continuing to make friends among the residents and staff alike…and playing his music.

Gordon Hogan is survived by his four children: Judy (Hogan) Verbrugge, Anne Hogan, Jim Hogan, and Jeff Hogan, 7 grandchildren: Jaycie Hogan, Jacki Hoard, Kelly Hogan, Peter Verbrugge, Carol Buckingham, Mary Jacky, and John Verbrugge, and 9 great-grandchildren. His wife, Jean preceded him in death in 2009. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 9th at the Gilman Park Assisted Living in Oregon City, and a Celebration of Gordon’s Life will be held in Yakima this spring. Memorials may be sent to Providence Hospice, or your local community band.

Much love from your family Gordon. Wherever you are, we are sure you are still the life of the party.