Larry A. Hoglan, 78

  Larry A. Hoglan, 78, longtime Bonners Ferry resident, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry due to lung cancer.

Funeral services were held Aug. 29 at United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry. Private interment was in Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry.

Larry was born Dec. 6, 1930, in Bonners Ferry to Alton L. and Leona Plunkett Hoglan.

Larry graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1949.

He married Ruth MacDonald on March 26, 1952, in Coeur d’Alene.

Larry was honorably discharged from the military in 1949 and returned to Bonners Ferry where he worked as a heavy equipment welder-mechanic with his father, Alton, who owned Hoglan Service. He was also employed by the U.S. Forest Service as a mobile equipment serviceman and as a bus mechanic Boundary County School District.

Larry drove bus for the school district for over 20 years retiring in 1990.

He enjoyed his time as a bus driver and took pleasure in the children who rode his bus.

Larry was a talented musician and played piano and trumpet. He also sang in the Methodist Church choir for many years.

In the 1960s, Larry formed a band called The Hoglan Trio with his wife, Ruth, and brother, Lee.  They played at proms and night clubs throughout North Idaho. 

One of Larry's greatest accomplishments was establishing the first Alcoholics Anonymous chapter in Bonners Ferry. He was active in AA up to his death. Larry sponsored many individuals and was very proud of his 30-year AA coin and carried it with him always.  

In retirement, he enjoyed playing music, reading and playing cribbage with many friends.

 He is survived by his wife; daughters and son-in-laws Larrie and Chris Clark of Bonners Ferry and Linda and John Vanderpool of Rathdrum, son and daughter-in-law Rodd and Sara Hoglan of Newman Lake, Wash., son Alvin Hoglan of Bonners Ferry; grandchildren Casey and Amy Clark of Moscow, Matt Clark of Coeur d’Alene and Jake Coffing of Rathdrum; nieces Lauring Hoglan and Heidi Guest of Lewiston; great-granddaughters Emma, Kate and Kendal Clark of Moscow and Kayla Clark of Vancouver, Wash. 

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; brother Lee Hoglan; and grandson Christopher Clark.

Family and friends may sign Larry's book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.