EMERALD ISLE  -  On Friday, August 2, 2024, Richard John Hogan, 84, died at the Naval Hospital aboard Camp Lejeune.  He was born January 15, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To his marine friends-and most family-Richard was known as 'Hogan'; to his Pennsylvania family he was Uncle Rich or Cousin Rich.

Hogan enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1957 and turned 17 during the train journey from Philadelphia to Yemassee, South Carolina.

After Parris Island, Hogan trod the well-worn path of newly minted marines: Camp Geiger, mainland Japan, Okinawa, and Quantico.

It was at Quantico that Hogan met and fell in love with Delores Cornwell---a federal employee of the base Provost Marshall's Office where Hogan was assigned as an MP.

Dee and Hogan had a speedy courtship and quickly decided to cement their love by eloping.

To ensure a fast wedding, Dee and Hogan drove west from Virginia to Indiana where they had been told it was easy to marry on short notice.

Arriving at the Justice of the Peace, the clerk greeted Dee and Hogan and said, "I know why you're here, but the law has changed!"

Hogan and Dee returned to their car, drove through the night back to Virginia and were ultimately married by a judge in Manassas, 18 miles from where they had started their journey a few days before.

Together, Dee and Hogan lived a life of adventure that lasted for over 64 years.

They enjoyed time spent in Virginia, North Carolina, California, Hawaii, Okinawa, mainland Japan, Mexico and throughout Asia.

During the early years of Hogan's career in the Marine Corps, he ascended the ranks in the normal manner; in the autumn of 1966, while deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, Hogan became a Mustang when he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.

By the time Hogan retired in 1986, he had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel---a good run for a boy hailing from 1950's Kensington, Philadelphia.

Hogan always knew that not only did the Marine Corps shape his life as a young man, but it also saved his life.

Following his retirement-and his final move with Dee to Emerald Isle- Hogan allowed his Marine Corps identity to recede a bit over time.

With Dee, Hogan enjoyed his well-deserved time-off spending days surf fishing, volunteering as a sea turtle nest-warden and as an active member of the neighborhood's social scene.

In his later years, Hogan re-embraced his marine identity and took great pride in his success as a Mustang.

Although Hogan's death was sudden and came as a shock, his family finds great solace knowing that he was pronounced dead aboard a base that played an important role in his life and career; his family is especially heartened that in his last moments he was in the care of Navy medicine.

Hogan is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delores Hogan of Emerald Isle, and his only child R. J. Hogan, also of Emerald Isle.

Family, friends and community
are invited to attend
the celebration of life with military honors
of
Lieutenant Colonel Richard John Hogan, USMC, Retired

Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery
110 Montford Point Road
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Tuesday, October 15th
noon


A reception and wake will follow immediately

Garden Pavilion
the Angry Ginger pub
1220 Gum Branch Road
Jacksonville, North Carolina