Buford James "Red" Hoggatt

1930 - 2017

Buford James "Red" Hoggatt

Hattiesburg, MS

Buford James "Red" Hoggatt passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in Hattiesburg, MS. Born on June 9, 1930 in Bogalusa, LA, he was the only child of the late Buford James and Selma Murray Hoggatt.

Red was an outstanding high school football and basketball player for Andrew Jackson High in Jacksonville, FL. He helped lead the football team to the Florida state championship in 1946. In basketball, as point guard he was also the leading scorer and was named to the Florida All-State Basketball team his senior year.

After high school, Red received a scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens, TN, where he was the quarterback for the football team, the team captain, and an All-South Eastern team basketball standout.

In 1951, Red signed a football scholarship and transferred to Memphis State University where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees. In recognition of his collegiate achievements he was later inducted into the Tennessee Wesleyan Hall of Fame, named as one of the fourteen charter National Alumni Board of Directors for Tennessee Wesleyan, inducted into the Memphis State University Hall of Fame, and received the Billy J. Murphy Outstanding Achievement Award.

Red began his coaching career at Christian Brothers College in Memphis, TN, where he was the head basketball, head baseball, and assistant football coach. Later moving to serve as head football coach at Dobyns Bennett High School in Kingsport, TN, he led the team to win the Tennessee State Championship. Red's next stop was Southwestern Louisiana Institute where he served as Head Football Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.

In 1961, Red had the opportunity to return to his alma mater, Memphis State University, as an Assistant Football Coach. He served as the Offensive Coordinator with his accomplishments including two undefeated seasons, winning the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and defeating San Jose State in the Pasadena Bowl.

Coach Hoggatt also served as an NFL pro scout for several scouting combines. His last coaching call was with the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS.

His work in athletics was recognized in 1997 when he received the All American Football Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award that honored Assistant Coaches at the collegiate level "who make a difference" in the lives of others.

After 22 years in coaching, Red began a second career with BFI in Jackson, Mississippi. His second assignment was in Gainesville, FL, and later transferred to Atlanta, GA, where he was the Regional Manager. He was promoted to VP, /Regional Marketing Director and Public Relations Point Manager for BFI. One of the highlights from this period was his selection as BFI Olympic Manager of the Year for the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta. Other accomplishments during this time included being President of Atlanta Touchdown Club, President of Kiwanis, Charter Member on the Peach Bowl Committee, and a member of the Atlanta Sports Council.

While Red retired to Ponte Vedre Beach, Florida, he continued to serve in a consulting capacity with BFI and later Waste Management. After a later "full" retirement, Red and Barbara moved back to Hattiesburg to be closer to family.

Red is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara Boggan Hoggatt; three children, Susan H. Olson (Jim), Lou Hoggatt, Helen H. Price (Jackie); five grandchildren, Natalie Ruggiero (Evan); Gretchen Price Haney (Adam); Kayla Price Jones (Robert); John Olson (Teri); Scott Olson; and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 2:00 at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg, MS.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a memorial donation to either of these:

Temple Baptist Church Missions Ministry 5220 Old Hwy 11, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 or HIS Heart Ministries 1300 W. Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39203