As a successful businessman and investment broker, James E. Hogle was involved in a multitude of commercial ventures. But Hogle, who died this week at age 81, will be remembered best for his indefatigable work with and support for community, education and charitable groups.
In much of this, James E. Hogle followed in his father's footsteps. His father, James A. Hogle, founded the investment brokerage that carried his name, donated land for construction of the Hogle Zoo and served on the board of trustees for Westminster College.The son eventually carried his father's company to new levels of success, helped salvage the zoo that had fallen into disrepair, also served on the Westminster board and became involved in many civic notes.
The organizations that benefited from his involvement included the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Planning Association, the Community Chest (a forerunner of United Way), St. Mark's Hospital, the Salt Lake Arts Center, Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School, the Utah Zoological Society, the Salt Lake Board of Education and the Utah Symphony.
In 1967, Queen Elizabeth honored him with an invitation to join the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, an ancient British order dating to the Crusades.
For his civic work, Hogle was given the prestigious Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1969. He was cited for adding "depth and breadth to the concept of brotherhood in action." That kind of accolade is a better measure of a man than financial success.
The Hogle legacy is reflected not only in the name of a first-class zoo in the foothills above Salt Lake City, but also in the memory of many untiring efforts spent in making the community a better place to live.