James Hogue II

Family-Placed Death Notice

JAMES RODNEY HOGUE II James Rodney Hogue II, great son, brother, husband, father and friend. Jim, age 45, died November 13, 2007, from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Born February 2, 1962, in Atlanta, Jim was a graduate of Campbell High School and Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Jim was blessed in many ways. He was one of those people who seemed to do everything well, whether it was sports, school or being able to relate to the people he came in contact with every day. He was an all-around athlete in high school, playing football, basketball and baseball. Jim was awarded a scholarship to The University of the South, but followed a life-long dream to play basketball at Georgia Tech. After graduation, Jim held sales positions with Cutler-Hammer and Hughes Supply. Jim's ability to relate with people was why he was successful. Black or white, rich or poor, Jim treated everyone with respect. He had a unique gift to make each person he came in contact with feel as though they were the most important person in the world. Many who knew Jim felt that he was at his best when he was coaching young people. Whether it was football, basketball, softball or baseball, Jim epitomized what a great coach should be. His number one goal was to teach his players to play the game the right way, giving 100% effort while playing by the rules. In Jim's mind, integrity and character were more important than winning. He taught this to not only his players but their parents as well, giving them valuable lessons that would make them better people for the rest of their lives. During his illness, Jim continued to be an inspiration to all he knew, never quitting or giving in to this terrible disease. One of the cruelties of ALS is the loss of speech. Jim never lost his speech. He believed this was God's will so that he could continue to spread The Gospel to all around him. One of Jim's favorite Bible passages was from Matthew 6:19-21-Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth & rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth & rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jim's heart was always on other people. He treasured his relationships with everyone he encountered. "Well done, good & faithful servant". He is survived in death by his wife Polly, his daughter Lauren and his son Jim; his parents James and Sadie Hogue; his sister Susan Wamsley; his sisters-in-law Carmen Baggett and Terry Clark; and brother-in-law David Akbari. Visitation will be held at Patterson Funeral Home in Sandy Springs, Thursday, November 15th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 16th, at 11:00 AM at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Bob Bridges, Rocky Costa, Clay Fleishel, Bob Goodwyn, Roy Granberry, Tim Henderson, Bob Kramlich, Neil Pittman and Brett Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests participating in Saturdays ALS race (www.neurosportphysicaltherapy.com) as well as contributions in Jim's memory to: The ALS Associatiion of Georgia, 1955 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 116, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-636-9909, www.alsaga.org, Eagle Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502, 770-967-8500, www.eagleranch.org. Arrangements by H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.