Obituary of Kent Hogge

Kent George Hogge, age 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Murray, Utah. He was born on November 10, 1940, to Elden E. and Viola Vivian (Sparks) Hogge in Hailey, Idaho. While growing up he lived on his family’s ranch in Charlo, Montana, and then in Ephrata, Washington, where he lettered in track, played coronet in school band, and graduated from Ephrata High School in 1958.

Kent attended Utah State University to study Forestry before joining the U.S. Army in 1960. In 1965, he entered law enforcement as a trooper for the Washington State Patrol and worked in the Ellensburg, Moses Lake, and Spokane areas before retiring in 1980. During this time, Kent also served with distinction as First Sargeant of the 1161st Transportation Company of the Washington Army National Guard located in Ephrata, Washington.

In 1985, Kent began a full-time career with the U.S. Army Reserve, holding a number of key leadership positions in the 156th Support Group, 348th Engineer Group, 375th Support Group, 373rd Support Battalion Corps, and completed his distinguished career with his assignment to the 63rd Regional Support Command as Master Sergeant and Senior Logistics Noncommissioned Officer. Throughout his thirty-five years of service, Kent demonstrated the highest degree of leadership, integrity, and dedication to his country, earning numerous awards, including the prestigious Legion of Merit, at the time of his retirement in 2000. 

Kent married Margie Lou Barksdale in 1962 and together had eight children. Although they later divorced, the two remained friends to the end of his life. Throughout his life, Kent had a great love for the natural beauty of mountains and streams, Native American history, Western art and music, horses, hunting, sharpshooting, his childhood summers spent with family in Carey, Idaho, and serving his country as an American patriot.

Kent was preceded in death by sons, Ronald G. and Russell T. Hogge; his parents; his horse, Jewel, and dog, Sargent. He is survived by daughters, Angela M. Smith and Lisa A. Carter (Robert); his sons, Kurt B. Hogge (Tami), Erik G. Hogge, K. Reid Hogge (Jennifer), and Travis D. Hogge (Chelsea); brothers, Earl Hogge, Norman Hogge, and Darrell Hogge; and seventeen grandchildren (Durell, Derek, and Brandon Smith; Brandon and Cade Carter; Sierra, Haydon, Elijah, and Autumn Hogge; Taylor, Madison, and Zachary Hogge; Kaitlyn, Jaxon, and Xander Hogge; Phoenix and Daimon Hogge). He also leaves behind his dear friend, Leslie Pruitt Bonner, and his adored horse, Cougar. 

A time of gathering will be held on Sunday, July 8, at 9:00 a.m. at the Carey Cemetery and along Fish Creek near Carey, Idaho. Additionally, a military honors ceremony will be held at a later date in August at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah.