Owen Copley Hogle

12/28/1945 ~ 1/6/2021

Owen “Hob” Hogle, the last of the four Hogle brothers, left this life Wednesday January 6, 2021 following a long illness. Owen, son of Bonnie Smith and James E. Hogle Sr., was born December 28, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His early days were spent roaming Federal Heights where the local boys dubbed themselves the Arlington Gang. The family moved to 41 acres on 700 East and 3900 South, naming it Fantasy Ranch (Old Farm). Owen’s first job was at Utah’s Hogle Zoo and lasted a half day. He was fired that afternoon for leaving the ladder on Monkey Island, allowing all the monkeys to escape. Immediately after graduating from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, he was drafted and served honorably in Viet Nam. His business career included wine merchant, real estate, investments, advertising and publishing.
In 1994 he followed his heart, opening The Wild Bird Center in Holladay. Instead of keeping the first dollar he earned, he kept his first customer, Sheri Hansen. They married in 1995 and continued in business together for twenty years.
In 2014 on the advice of his physician, Owen and Sheri left Salt Lake City due to the toxic air quality and moved to Spring City, Utah. In spite of his dedicated involvement with community and social issues, personal recognition was not important to Owen. He would prefer to be remembered for his integrity, kindness and sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James E. Jr., Hugh, and Donald. He is survived by his wife Sheri, stepson Joshua (Brandy) Kramer, children Danielle (Mark) and Tela (Jason) and grandchildren Aiden, Riley and Gwynnie.
Sheri and Owen give special thanks to the lntermountain Hospice Team and our friends and neighbors in Spring City for their support.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Utah’s Hogle Zoo or a charity of your choice. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com