Curtis F. Hoglan

1934 - 2015

Brig. Gen. Curtis F. Hoglan went to his heavenly home on Sept. 15, 2015. He was born June 20, 1934 in Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, C.F. and Amy Thornton HogIan of Pitkin, Louisiana. Curtis is survived by his loving wife, Katherine, of 61 years; two children, Sonja HogIan Duggar and husband, Kevin, son Steve Hoglan and wife, Janet; grandchildren, Jennifer Duggar Dougherty and husband, Michael, Julie Duggar, Edward Parrish, and Alexis Parrish; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Luke Dougherty and brother-in-law, Harold Elliott.
Curtis grew up in Pitkin and graduated from Glenmora High School in 1951. He received his BS in Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 1955. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. His military career spanned 30 years with numerous Artillery commands and staff assignments throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Korea, Vietnam, Hawaii and Germany. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He retired from active duty August 1985 as a brigadier general.
While serving in the U.S. Army he received numerous military decorations and awards U.S. and foreign, among them are: the Distinguished Service Medal; two Bronze Stars; a Purple Heart; and three Army Meritorious Service Medals.
After retiring from the Army, he served as the executive director, Florence County Economic Commission. He received the honors of Economic Developer of the Year and the South Carolina Governor's Job Creator award. He also served as the president and CEO of the Lafayette, Louisiana Economic Development Authority for six years.
In 1995 Curtis and Katherine moved to Niceville, Florida, for their retirement years. They traveled throughout the world visiting many countries. Curtis stayed active for many years with the Bluewater Baptist Church, Coast Guard Auxiliary, playing golf, and writing his autobiography "A Country Boy from Pitkin-My Life Story." In 2006 Curtis was selected as a member of the distinguished "Long Purple Line" at Northwestern State University, Louisiana. He fell in love with playing a trumpet at a very early age. One of his most enjoyable experiences was being the leader of "The Demonaires," a 15 piece dance band at Northwestern State University. He played his trumpet and Dixieland music throughout his life with many bands, including the "Modernaires" while stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Family and friends will remember Curtis who loved to entertain, for his infectious hugs and for his love of God, family and country.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at the First Baptist Church of Valparaiso, 444 Valparaiso Parkway, Valparaiso, at 11. Interment will be held at Blue Branch Cemetery in Pitkin, Louisiana, with Military Honors at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mclaughlintwincities.com.