Thomas John Hogan, 74, of Olathe, KS, returned to his heavenly home on April 29, 2021.
Thomas, who went by Tom, was born on June 18, 1946 in St. Louis, MO, to parents Arthur and Esther Hogan (Fisher). The couple was blessed to have four beautiful children. Tom was their first-born and older brother to his 3 younger sisters, Betsey Hogan (Walnut Creek, CA), Mary Hogan (Basel, Switzerland), and Nancy Albrecht (Chesterfield, MO).
In 1958, the family moved to North Kansas City, Missouri where Tom attended St. Pius X before transferring to Park Hill High School graduating in May 1965. After graduation Tom followed his dream of attending Kansas State University. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity class of 65. Some of his fondest memories were at K-State and being a member of the SAE fraternity. He worked through college as a waiter at Kite’s Bar and Grill, a Manhattan staple. His junior and senior year he joined the ROTC and graduated from Kansas State University in 1969.
After graduation Tom joined the United States Army serving from 1970 to 1972 at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Polk, Louisiana as a military policeman rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and earning The Army Commendation Medal. After his honorable discharge he served in The Reserves as Captain.
Tom married his first wife Jackie Weingart in 1970. They welcomed their only son Daniel Arthur Hogan. Daniel, who goes by Danny, was born on January 1st, 1974 in Kansas City, MO. Specially featured in the Kansas City star that year as the first baby born. Two years later the couple divorced but Danny was never apart from his father. Danny was diagnosed with autism and lived with his father for the majority of his life. Tom was an attentive, dedicated father.
In 1984 Tom met his future wife and soul mate Jennifer Lynn Hogan (Viter) of Independence, MO. They met while working in the same building in downtown Kansas City. At the time Tom was the managing vice president at Alexander & Alexander and Jennifer worked as an administrative assistant at Tower Insurance Agency on different floors. As fate would have it, his company bought out Tower Insurance and Jennifer was transferred to A&A. From the first moment they met in his office it was love at first sight for them both. Jennifer was immediately smitten by his good looks, natural charisma and the sweetest smile she’d ever seen. He was a romantic and sent her roses every week for a year, just as smitten with her, even after all these years he could recall exactly what she was wearing that day.
The couple married on November 2, 1985 and would have celebrated 36 years of marriage this fall. Immediately after they married Tom was promoted to run the Alexander & Alexander office in Hartford, Connecticut. Their time in Connecticut was one of the best times in their lives. Soon they welcomed their only daughter Lindsey Jean Minnick (Matt Minnick) on November 23, 1987.
The insurance business continued to offer new and exciting opportunities. He was the president of Lockton Companies in Houston, Texas, before finally settling back home in Lenexa, KS in 1991. Tom worked for Cretcher Heartland until 2013 and then transferred to Cornerstone where he was Vice President of Sales and the top earner up until his untimely passing. He was known as something of a “Legend” in the insurance business. He was truly exceptional at it and his unmatchable personality allowed him to go far. Although a man of 74 years he easily passed for someone 15 years younger. His career kept him young and he enjoyed working. When asked what he loved most about his job he always replied, “His clients.” Some of his best friends were his clients and he cherished those friendships so much.
Tom is known by many as “Coach Hogan.” He started coaching his daughter’s soccer team in 1993 and it became one of his proudest accomplishments. It meant the world to him when his athletes would recognize throughout the years by greeting him with a “Coach Hogan!” and a big hug! His coaching career didn’t stop there either. He was well known throughout the Special Olympics of Kansas, specifically coaching his son’s basketball and baseball teams for the JCPRD Rangers.
In March of 2018 Tom became a grandfather to his only grandson, McCrae Thomas Minnick. Named after his grandpa. Tom spent 3 wonderful years as the best grandpa a child could ask for. Spending as much time together as possible. Blessed to live only a few miles away, popping in to say “Hi” or play dinosaurs with McCrae was a frequent occurrence.
When he wasn’t working you could find Tom still taking his son to the K-State football games, something he did with his two children every fall since they were little. Or you might have found him enjoying a nice steak dinner and playing oldies in the Jukebox at the VFW. He was extremely passionate about history and spent lots of free time on Ancestry websites. But one thing is for sure, you always saw him with a smile.
Tom Hogan will be remembered for many things, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a brother, a friend, a veteran, a coworker, a coach, and an avid K-State lover! His love and generosity knew no bounds and the lives he touched are better for it. He had a one of a kind laugh and never let an opportunity to tell a joke pass him by!
Visitation will be from 9:30- 10:30am Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215. Funeral service will be immediately following at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS