Bryan Hogan

Wesley "Bryan" Hogan, aged 39 passed away suddenly in his home on August 15, 2019.

He was the youngest of 5 children, born to Luther and Fae Hogan on May 28, 1980, on the same day as his oldest sister, Angela. As Bryan would tell everyone, "we were born on the same day, five years apart." 1980 began the great cake debate that would occur for the rest of their lives - over who would win, Bryan or Angela, chocolate or vanilla. As they grew older, it evolved into a competition of who could tell the other one Happy Birthday first. Angela usually won by answering Bryan's pre-dawn phone call with "Happy Birthday!" which Bryan always responded "Whadya get me?"

At 18 years old, Bryan got a brand new, metal mitral valve replacement for his great, big heart. Along with a new nickname "Tick" because he did, like a watch; he had a new lease on life, and Bryan lived each day thereafter like it was his last. He had simple pleasures in everyday life, and lived for every minute, always looking for a way to help someone or sneak out to the lake to go fishing.

Bryan loved being outside, boating, shooting, racing, hunting and fishing. He was an outdoorsman, good with his hands, patient and able to fix anything with a motor. He loved to laugh, attend family gatherings, put his family first and always did the right thing - even when it wasn't easy. Bryan was an avid shooter with a bow, shotgun or rifle. He was a great shot who took great pride in donating his time or equipment to help expose new people to the outdoors. He especially enjoyed taking his kids, nieces and nephews outdoors, teaching them how to fish, hunt, and most importantly, how to be a good person. His nephews considered him as a brother, Uncle Bryan would get on the floor to play, teach them how to hunt or fish, tan hides or teach them about the important things in life - how to be a good man, do right and treat their elders with respect.

His parents, Luther and Fae had a dedicated, loyal and faithful son in Bryan. Whatever they needed, he was there - mowing lawns, daily phone calls asking if they needed anything. He was always the first child to arrive back home bright and early on Christmas morning, ready to get the party started. Despite his parents multiple illnesses, surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, he continuously stayed by their side. This dedication as an adult almost made up for the many times his mother walked into his bedroom during his youth, to find a random dead animal Bryan was tanning. "Dad, am I in trouble?" was a common question Bryan had growing up, and the answer was "Yes" most of the time. His parents, fearing for his mortal soul, ensured that he went to church on a consistent, routine schedule. As a young boy, Bryan accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at Fairpark Baptist Church. They shouldn't have worried though, Bryan turned out to be a great man, with an innocent soul and a big heart.

Being the last born in a large family, Bryan was the stereotypical youngest child. Of course, he got away with a lot being the baby boy, pestered his siblings mercilessly and loved to play tricks on everyone. As an adult, he maintained most of those behaviors - and anyone who knew him would agree that Bryan was always a kid at heart. Although infuriating as a child, we all loved it as adults, Bryan was the "Fun Uncle" and never took anything too seriously, unless he was taking you out shooting and teaching gun safety. On any given day, you could find Bryan playing a trick, like moving all the chicken eggs in the coop into one laying box, to convince his niece that one chicken laid all the eggs.

Never one to settle for 2nd place, Bryan especially enjoyed besting his older brother, Les in just about any event. Whether hunting, fishing, stock car racing, working under the hood of a car, a lawn mower, or getting to the front of a buffet line - the competition wasn't over until he could do at least one-better than his best good brother, Les.

His youngest sister, Gina, was his protector growing up. She was also routinely on the receiving end of most of Bryan's shenanigans. Being that Bryan upended Gina's spot as the baby of the family, Gina took on her role as protector seriously. It wasn't an easy job, as Bryan was a bit cantankerous, but he had the best "try to act innocent" smile to get him out of trouble with his sister. Nobody bought the innocent act, but Gina's best High School years were spent going to the Middle School to help out her little brother.

Bryan's friends would tell you he was the one you could count on if you had a project or a problem, he was always there to lend a hand or do anything for anyone. He always had time for you. Never expecting anything in return, Bryan surrounded himself with people rich of character, integrity and honesty. He was an honest man, he would never take anything that wasn't his - unless it was his brother Les'. To Bryan, his family were his friends, and his friends were his family.

Bryan loved to recount all kinds of stories, things that happened during a hunting or fishing trip, the tricks he played and fun times he had with friends and family. No matter how old, the stories consistently stayed the same, the way it happened is the way he said it happened. Bryan couldn't embellish a story, he had to tell the truth no matter how humiliating it may be. Dishonesty made Bryan uncomfortable, so you knew those outrageous stories were true: Yes, he did ride a 50 lb. catfish, he could always find all the crawdad holes, and he knew everything a person could ever possibly know about fishing for crappie.

Tabitha Braswell and his two children, Tarah and Dalton, were the constant recipients of Bryan's playful nature. He loved to jest, play pranks and have fun with his family. Bryan took great pride in his children's successes, and loved to show them all wonderful pursuits of the outdoors. He enjoyed taking his family to McDonalds on special occasion, but also ensured to tell the kids "Order off the dollar menu!" He repeatedly told his children to go to college so they could do better than him, but they think he did the BEST job.

A faithful employee of Quarles Lumber for over 15 years, he had recently been promoted and was enjoying his new position with the company that graciously provided him many instances to succeed over the years. Bryan also worked (and played) on weekends at his employers ranch, enjoying the outdoors and wildlife. He considered his boss as a friend, who gave him great opportunities to live and play, being able to do all the things he loved.

Bryan is survived by his "Crazy Girl" Tabitha Braswell, his children Tarah Braswell and Dalton Hogan, his father Luke Hogan, and his brother and sisters Les Hogan, Angela Clouse and Gina Cole. Bryan is preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Hogan and his beloved mother, Fae Hogan. He entered the world on his sister's birthday, and left this world on his dad's - Bryan sure did love to share a celebration. A big piece of goodness has left our world, and we will be forever changed. We all believe when Bryan entered the Pearly Gates of Heaven, his mother was there with open arms, and Bryan, with raised eyebrows, shrugging his shoulders and innocently asking "What did I do?" You did it all Bryan. You did it all.