WILMINGTON — Mervin E. Hogg, 100, of Wilmington, passed away, July 31, 2025.
He was born, December 5, 1924, in Delphos, Kansas, to the late Ira and Leona Hogg.
Born into a farming community in Kansas, Mervin’s father left to pursue an academic career as an anatomy professor, taking the family to Williamsport, Pennsylvania and then on to Oxford, Mississippi. Upon graduating from high school in Williamsport, Mervin enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, the “Tough ‘Ombres.”
Following training, the unit was deployed to Europe and went ashore at Normandy unopposed on D-Day+2 following which they participated in the fighting across Europe until VE day and his discharge following the war. He returned home to Williamsport on Dec 5, 1945, his 21st birthday, flat broke. He was awarded a bronze star but typically he explained that as being a fluke, the Army wanted to give an award to someone in his unit and everyone else was faster at saying “not me” so, as he tells the story, they gave it to Mervin.
After some down time, Mervin moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he met and married his wife Lorraine until her passing in 2007. There they had their first son, and shortly thereafter moved to Birmingham, Alabama where their second son was born. A short time later the family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where they remained for several years, followed by moves to Pennsylvania and Maryland before settling in Wilmington in 1970, with a brief solo sojourn to Granbury, Texas for a couple of years. During his career he obtained a Professional Engineer certification even though he never received a college degree (a matter of some pride to him) and transitioned from being a draftsman to being a senior project engineer in nuclear power plant construction for various projects.
His retirement was forced due to changes in the industry, but he found a fulfilling life in Wilmington. His involvement in the church, Masonry, and the Wilmington choir and singles club, kept him busy and happy, particularly when he got to “rub bellies” as he put it with his friends at the Friday night dances, when singing with his friends in the choirs, and as an active participant in various Masonic activities. Additionally, he was active with the 90th Infantry Division Association, both as a supporting member but also in helping with archiving and transcribing documents related to 90th Division activities during the war. During the course of his life Mervin has received many awards and accolades for his unselfish support of multiple organizations.
Survivors include a brother, son, two grandsons, and two great-grandsons.
Service Information: Winter Park Presbyterian Church (4501 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403, Winter Park Presbyterian Church) on Wednesday Aug 13 at 3 PM.
The family will receive visitors following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Winter Park Presbyterian Church, Masonic Charities (St Johns No 1 Masonic Lodge), Eastern Star (Cape Fear Chapter No 346) or Wilmington Singles Club.
The family wishes to thank: Diane Collins Bob Fry, Emile Harley, Al Leathers, Winter Park Presbyterian Church, Nancy Rasmussen, 90th Infantry Division Association, St Johns No 1 Masonic Lodge, Cape Fear Chapter No 346 Eastern Star and Wilmington Singles Club.
