Donald Walter Hoggatt

Donald Walter Hoggatt

Donald Walter Hoggatt went home to be with his Lord on April 13, 2011, following a lingering decline. He was 87 years old. Don Hoggatt was born in Morton, Washington, on January 16, 1924, the son of a school teacher and principal. The family lived in a variety of Seattle-area locations, finally settling in and near Tacoma. Don was active in team sports and graduated from Stadium High School in 1942.
During WWII Don served in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion ("CBs") in the Pacific Theater. After the war he attended Pacific Lutheran and Oregon State Colleges, receiving a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for 30 years in positions of increasing responsibility for the Washington State Highway Department. He retired in 1986.
In 1946 Don married Arlene Smith, and three sons were born to the couple: John (Jack), Daniel, and Matthew. Don is survived by Arlene, their sons, and three granddaughters: Cypress
(Tiffany), Natasha, and Isabel.
Don was an avid gardener well known for his large and productive garden and orchard, the fruits of which were freely shared with neighbors and the church. Don also enjoyed various types of woodworking from fine furniture making to children's toys.
Don was well known for his love of God and his evangelistic zeal, and when the family moved to Olympia in 1961, Don, Arlene and the boys became members of Emmanuel Baptist Church (now Emmanuel Bible Fellowship). Over the years Don and Arlene worked in children's Bible camps in New Hampshire and Washington State. Don was a Gideon for many years and was therefore responsible for distributing Bibles around the world. Don and Arlene also supported many missionaries and enjoyed correspondence and e-mails to and from multiple generations of missionary families in many countries.
At Don's request, there will be no memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to (www.gideons.org) or to other charitible organizations in
Don's name.