Thomas Edster “Tom” Hogge Sr., 87, of Guinea, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, deacon, and friend. Above all else, he was a family man. He was the head of his family and the glue that held everyone together—a role he carried with a lifetime of love, devotion, and faith.
Tom was married to the love of his life, Betty Jean Hogge, for 65 years. Their life together was one of true devotion. They loved each other fully and remained by each other’s side through every season of life. As they grew older, Tom became Betty’s devoted caretaker, caring for her with the same love and tenderness that had defined their marriage. Betty was always ready to get him out of the house—whether it was shopping or going to a party—and Tom was always happy to take her wherever she wanted to go. After losing Betty in 2025, a piece of Tom’s heart went with her. His family finds comfort in knowing that they are together again.
Tom was the beloved father of Thomas Edster Hogge Jr. (Deanna), Michelle H. Firth (John), and Kelly H. Fowler (Jason). He loved his children deeply and was the same kind of father as he was a grandfather—present, dependable, and always there when they needed him.
His grandchildren, Little John, Mara (Daniel), Trevor (Makayla), Dylan (Loren), and Ryleigh (James), knew just how special it was to have Tom as their grandfather. He never missed a game or performance. He played in the yard with them, made sure they had their favorite snacks, and showed up for the moments that mattered. His love was not something they ever had to question; they felt it in everything he did.
He leaves behind six beloved great-grandchildren, Chloe, Blakely, Aubrey, Hadley, Makenna, and Easton, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and longtime friends who were blessed to know and love him.
Tom loved his Guinea roots and never forgot where he came from. He grew up on the old home place alongside his 10 siblings, and that land remained a very special part of his heart. Some of his family’s most treasured memories were made there during family reunions, surrounded by homemade ice cream, tractor rides, laughter, and stories of days gone by. Tom loved reminiscing about the old home place and the memories made there with the people he loved most.
He was a man who found joy in the simple things. He loved Sunday family dinners, especially when he could fire up the grill for everyone. He loved fishing and hunting in his younger years, driving buses, riding his lawn mower, watching westerns on television, and checking in on his family. One of the places he was happiest was sitting on his glider beneath the big tree, listening to the birds sing. Those quiet moments always brought him peace.
Tom retired as a general foreman from X42 in the shipyard, after a lifetime of hard work. He also drove buses for most of his life, including school buses, church buses, and tourist buses. Being a bus driver was part of his working life that he took great pride in.
His faith was woven into everything he did. Tom was a longtime deacon at Providence Baptist Church and was deeply involved in his church and his community. He was always willing to help anyone who needed him, and his Bible was never far from his side. He taught his family, not only through his words but through the way he lived, how to love one another and how to love Jesus.
Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Jean Hogge; his parents, Tessie Owens Hogge and Lewis Harvey Hogge; his brothers, Calvin, Sam, Jennings, Andrew, Marion, and John Hogge; his sisters, Alice Horsley, Betty Lyell, and Catherine Heywood, and his grandson, John “Little John” Firth.
Though his family will miss him more than words can express, they are grateful for every memory, every Sunday dinner, every story, every boat ride, every laugh, and every quiet moment beneath the tree. They will carry forward the love he gave so freely and the faith he worked so hard to instill in them.
He was our head, our anchor, and the glue that held us together.
And now, after a lifetime of loving his family and serving his Lord, we say goodbye to a man who gave us a legacy that will never leave us. We know he is home with Jesus, reunited with Betty and the loved ones who went before him.
The family received friends on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home.
The funeral service was held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church, conducted by Pastor Nate Varnadore. After the service the interment was held at Rosewell Memorial Garden Cemetery conducted by the Rev. Dr. Richard Croxton. In memory of Tom, contributions may be made to the Providence Baptist Church Hospitality Committee, 3501 Providence Road, Hayes, Va. 23072.
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.