Michael (Mike) Hogan

64, passed away on June 21, 2013. Michael was a devoted and loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was a very articulate, intelligent man of deep convictions, a golfer, a horseman, an avid University of Kentucky fan, an educator, a craftsman, and a designer. Good days to Mike were those spent with family and friends. Best days were those spent debating issues with his family and friends, as he loved a lively argument (and fervently believed he always won). Mike was a unique person with sometimes seemingly contradictory characteristics. He could swing from prolonged quiet introspection to animated conversation. He was generous to others but, for himself, would squeeze a nickel until the buffalo… … … ..well, you know, he really loved a bargain. Mike had wide ranging talents and interests, a proverbial jack of all trades. He could do floral arrangements, shoe a horse, teach college classes, drive cross country (“Do you know how much that airline ticket costs???”) with minimal stops ("you mean you have to go again??? – we still have ¾ of a tank!!!"), build a barn, help found a scholarship fund for underprivileged children, beat you at most card games, hand-craft unique and useful pieces (such as a rocking horse toy box for his grandson), school you in golf (because he was “not bad for an old, fat man”), ride miles on horseback on various trail rides, run the breeding operations for one of the world’s premiere Arabian horse breeders, explain startling environmental noises (“No, what you heard was actually a squirrel bark.”), argue both sides of an issue, and find pleasure in everyday things ("Have you seen that show 'Duck Dynasty'??"). Mike did all of this and so much more with a unique grace, style, and generosity of spirit. Now that Mike has “played through” this world, he is probably already setting up a wood shop and scheduling a tee time in the great beyond. As we search for comfort in this difficult time, our family wanted to share some of Mike’s own words. He once wrote, “Many times things really appear very dismal and bleak but usually seem to correct themselves soon. You must keep an optimistic and progressive outlook on things and keep an eye open for the good things that come, regardless of how seemingly insignificant. Seeing all the good things sure does help to make the less pleasant things seem a little easier to cope with until they get better… … the river of life has many curves and a lot of bridges. Always look up stream for the good things that might be floating your way. It is surprising how many good things you will see every day if you are looking for them. Just keep the oars of your boat ready so you can go to meet the good things and also to paddle cautiously through the less pleasant things.” Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. with funeral services at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center Chapel.