Gary Joy Hoge, (79), of Plano, Texas, passed away on May 10, 2023, surrounded by family.
Gary was born to Joy Newton Hoge and Mabel Anderson-Hoge on July 8, 1943, in San Diego, California. When his father returned home from WWII, the family moved to Nebraska. Gary spent his youth on his grandfather’s turkey farm escaping the massive “tom” turkeys. One would often find mischievous Gary climbing to the roofs of the storage sheds or to the tallest branches of the large trees scattered around the farm. Gary played several sports, enjoyed fishing with his father, and remembered his mother as the primary disciplinarian persistently “encouraging” him to complete his homework and chores before embarking on any fun. As a quick study, he learned it worked best not to bring homework home. Despite discounting his homework, Gary excelled in school and participated in the Boy Scouts of America earning the God and Country Award, Order of the Arrow, and Eagle Scout rank. He graduated from high school at age 16 and was accepted to the University of Nebraska. As a devoted Cornhusker football fan, he was most excited about the free student tickets as he had never had the means to attend a game.
Funding his own education, Gary worked as a structural engineering draftsman, completed a 5-year Electrical Engineering degree, and landed his first professional job as a geophysicist with Texaco. Gary remained in the oil and gas field his entire career with an expertise in offshore exploration. He was a member of the Dallas Geophysical Society (DGS) where he served as Membership Chairman and President. Gary was also active in the international Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) where he was elected Membership Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer. As an active SEG member, he was selected as the Arrangements Chairman for the International Geophysical Convention.
Just out of college, Gary married Sharon Zoblosky in 1966, in Tyler, Texas, and eventually settled in Plano, Texas, in 1974, where together, they raised three children. For almost twenty years, Gary and Sharon were found cheering on the Plano Wildcats each Friday night during football season. Gary was meticulous about filming every dance recital and drill team performance; he was first to volunteer as soccer coach and won countless championships as baseball coach. Gary served on the Plano YMCA Board of Directors and volunteered for numerous leadership roles in the Indian Princesses and Indian Guides programs. With his laborious profession and unwavering parenting, Gary always found time to pursue his passion, golf. Gary and Sharon were members of Gleneagles Country Club for decades where Gary was known to have shot a hole-in-one!
Gary is fervently loved and will be profoundly missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Hoge of Plano, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Tom Kidd, of Westlake, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Sam Nechamkin, of Allen, Texas; and son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Cynthia Hoge, of The Woodlands, Texas. Affectionately known as “Papa,” Gary is survived by six grandchildren: Kyleigh and Mikinley Kidd, Natalie and Gavin Nechamkin, and Brody and Mya Hoge.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Joy and Mabel Hoge, and brother, Steven Hoge.
The family will receive guests for visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. Funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2023, at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in McKinney, Texas.