Jerry Hogan's Obituary
Remembering Jerry…
Jerry Hogan peacefully entered into his eternal resting place surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and family on January 6, 2026, days before his 80th birthday. He was born on January 18, 1946, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Booker T. Jones, Sr., and Roxie Hogan. Jerry and his siblings, Fred, Jr., Annie Laura, and Avonne, were raised by their mother in Arkadelphia in a Christian home. The family eventually made their way to California in the 1960s.
Jerry enlisted in the military right after graduating from Grant Union High School in 1965. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years. During his first year of service, he received training as an Apprentice Postal Specialist, managing official and personal mail for military personnel. For the next 3 years, he served in various positions overseas during the Vietnam War. During his military service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship/Special Ops Group Ribbon.
After his discharge from active duty in 1969, Jerry returned to California and settled in the Sacramento area, where he served for 2 years in the Air Force Reserves. During that same time, he enrolled in college and worked as a Teichert Construction diesel-powered engine specialist, mechanic, and skilled tradesman. He earned an Auto Mechanics Associate Degree at American River College in 1972. During his time as a college student, he was awarded a Certificate of Honor for outstanding scholarship performance. Jerry was extremely talented in auto mechanics, woodworking, and mechanical projects.
Jerry married his first wife, Janette Johnson, in 1971. From that union, Andrea and Christina were born. He began his career as a U.S. Postal Service clerk in 1972 and was promoted to a supervisor role in 1979. He married his second wife, Beryl Wiley, in 1987. From that union, Jonathan, Jared, and Isaac were born, and he gained a stepdaughter, Nidia. Jerry often took his children bike riding, on road trips, and to visit family.
During his U.S. Postal Service career, Jerry earned several honors, including a pin for not using any sick leave in 1991. Jerry retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1992 and spent the first part of his retirement working in his garage, making furniture, repairing cars, traveling, and spending time with family.
By 2003, Jerry had moved back to Arkansas as a single man and purchased a home in Lonoke, where he cared for his land, enjoyed time with neighbors, and visited family. Following a medical event in 2022, he returned to California where he was able to spend time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family. He spent this time period “working” at his Senior Adult Care Facility, watching movies withfriends and family, traveling all over the world, visiting friends and family in Arkansas, and talking to everyone he met.
Jerry never met a stranger and always shared advice and humor. Jerry’s work ethic, intelligence, values, resilience, and enduring belief in the foundation of homeownership will live on forever in future generations. He touched many lives throughout his lifetime, and his achievements in the face of adversity were beyond impressive. Jerry showed his love to his family in different ways in each phase of his life, and he will be missed by many.
Jerry will be remembered by his children, Andrea, Christina, Jonathan, Jared (wife Annie), and Isaac; his grandchildren, Andrell, Albert (wife Sierra), Jasmine, and Cameron; his grandchildren through marriage, Stacy, Mason, Sterling, Catherine, Emmanuel, and Benjamin; his great-grandchildren, Mahkai and Micah; his siblings, Annie Laura, Avonne, Rosetta, Doretta, Janice, Booker, Leroy, and Johnnie; and his Uncle Bennie (Bo). He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, stepdaughter Nidia, and siblings, Fred, Jr., Joyce, Charles, Fred, Arthur, and Cleveland.
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